Lacy Judkins (on left) and Lovell Churchill in front of large holly trees near Creich, Bonar Bridge 1917
The images and letters are courtesy of Stacey York, Mechanic Falls, Maine, USA. The series of images from Stacey are in the sequence on Forestry Memories from No 6282 to No 6298 and forms part of the Forestry Memories Groups collection ‘American Sawmillers in Scotland 1917’.
In the Great War of 1914-18 the UK and its allies were facing severe shortage of timber products to keep the coal mines operating and providing power for manufacturing for the war effort. Timber railway sleepers for the railways to the war front in Europe were urgently required and also wood for manufacturing of boxes and containers for munitions and other products. German submarines were severely interrupting timber imports and there was a great shortage of men to work in the forests and timber industry in UK because they had been called up in their millions to serve in the war effort as soldiers and sailors. An original request for assistance with timber cutting and sawing in British forests from the British Government was directed to the New England States.
A rapid response to the British crisis was taken on board by six New England States and a specially convened committee organised the supply of one sawmill unit funded by each state. The states involved were Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. In addition several individual companies and many individuals provided the necessary funding for a further four sawmill units resulting in a total of ten units and all their equipment being sent to Liverpool and eventually to Ardgay in Ross-shire in the summer of 1917. The timber workers and saw millers were on a contract to the British Government for a period of one year.
Lovell Churchill (on right) and Lacy Judkins are standing in a fall of snow in early November 1917. Of note are the two large holly trees immediately behind and a small stream running past. Lovell was interested in the holly and noted two types of leaves that could be different garden cultivars or possibly the thorn free leaves from higher up the same tree with prickly leaves below. He posted samples to his parents.
The location of this site is unknown but could be behind what was then the Creich Manse located close to a stream. The vague outline of buildings behind may also be the edges of a number of camp huts that the housed the Unit 2 workers. The vertical strip of wood seen behind may be the straps holding the water and wind proof lining over the wooden board walls. Piped water to the Unit 2 camp came from a point higher up on a local water course. The stone built walls at the side of the stream shown in the image look old but the expertly made timber walkway addition featuring supporting vertical logs from small trees points to the work of the lumber workers.
Lacy Judkins was a ‘scaler’ at the Unit 2 sawmill. The role may have involved the measuring of the logs and identifying them into size categories for the various products required. ‘Scalers’ also measured the products as they came off the mill. Lacy wrote up a rosy hued article on the work of the Maine Unit 2 and sent it to the Rumford Falls Times newspaper back home. The article reads:
“Oxford County Boys in Scotland
Dixfield Boy Tells of Life in Lumber Unit
American Lumber Unit No 2 Bonar Bridge, Sutherlandshire, Scotland – September 4, 1917.
Editor Rumford Falls Times:
As I am about five thousand miles from home, and thinking of home I have been asked to write a letter to our home paper.
As I sit in our camp, I can think of many thousand things I would like to say. Most people know that we have ten lumber units in this country and the unit that left Rumford and vicinity is unit No 2. We left Rumford on the morning of 12th of June and arrived in Boston on that date. We took in all that there was to see in that city and on Friday, June 15th, we signed a contract to do lumber work for the British Government. On Saturday, June 16th, we found ourselves on board on one of the finest transport vessels afloat the water today. It certainly was a fine ship. We left New York bound for Halifax, NS, and remained there four day, making the trip in forty two hours. After four days wait in that city we left one day about 5 o’clock PM, bound for Liverpool, Eng. It was an adventure no one can imagine, as it was all new to most of us. We saw a few large fish on the way over. The sea was very calm and sailing was excellent.
On the morning of July 4th every one thought of home as it is one of our best holidays and here we were in Liverpool, England. After about 5000 soldiers left us, we paraded out onto the floating dock and went aboard a special train of our own, bound for Northland, Scotland. We rode all night and at eleven o’clock the next day we arrived in Bonar Bridge, Sutherlandshire, Scotland. The people cheered us all along the way. American flags were waving from most every car window in the train and everyone was cheering when they saw the Stars and Stripes.
After two months sleeping in tents we moved into our nice new camps. We have one large cook and eating camp, one large stable, our mill, four lodging camps, one recreation camp, and Richard Melcher Jr’s office. Our camps are of board construction and covered with good paper roofing. Our mill is a new one and cuts very fine lumber. All of our timber is what they call Norway pine, no white pine here.
Although Unit 2 came from Oxford County, State of Maine, it is considered by the officials of this concern as the finest, healthiest and best skilled unit-men of the 10 units. Our cook is from Andover, Maine and he certainly is the best cook in the ten units as officials greatly enjoy arriving at Unit 2, about meal time, and all visitors are of course recommended to Unit 2 and so they come. Our cookee is from Andover also and he is “right there with the goods”. The fine choppers of Unit 2 are right on the job to keeping the mill running, also the second choppers are not far behind. Our sawyer and mill wright cannot be beat as they are experienced in this line and certainly do know their business. Our swampers are “Johnnies on the Spot” and they certainly swamp. Our engineer and fireman are men who can do their ‘bit’ and don’t have to enquire from anyone. Our blacksmith is very popular in Rumford and he certainly can make wagons and put shoes to the horses. The mill men show they have “been there before”, and the lumber “walks” right through the mill without a falter. We have a nice bunch of horses and the teamsters couldn’t be beat in Oxford County and they certainly do know how to handle the “ribbons”. Our clerk is from out of the State of Maine but can’t be beat in mathematics; he is “all there” and is a mighty jolly good fellow. Next and last comes our foreman, Mr Richard Melcher Jr. of Rumford. “Nuff said”. We are all contented here and as comfortable as can be. We get three square meals a day and good ones too. We cut from 14 to 16 thousand a day. Our lumber goes to France where they it is used by the railroads and many other purposes for the Allies, and is used by the Allies only. We have the finest mill that ever was built in this country and it is recommended very highly by the people here.
We would be very glad to hear from any friends who care to write and will gladly receive word from any acquaintances who will take the time and trouble to write to us as we are a long way from home and such things greatly please us. Trusting this letter reaches our Editor and pleases the many readers. We are yours very respectfully, members of the American Lumber Unit No 2, by Lacy W Judkins, Scaler, Dixfield, Me., USA.”
Lovell Churchill, from Maine USA, at sawmill unit No 2 set up in Skibo Estate Swordale Wood, wrote a series of short letters to his parents and sister describing his experiences and adventures. These letters and companying photographs were kept by his parents and then the family. Forestry Memories is very privileged to have been offered the opportunity to place these on the website.
Note that the letters have been transcribed by this writer (Norman Davidson) into UK English and notes added where written words are not deciphered and American language terms not fully understood. Accuracy and interpretation results are far from guaranteed but readers can turn to the PDF link below the text to see the images of the actual letters and form their own opinions.
The letters written by Lovell from 2 – 30 December1917 are transcribed below. They include reference to the holly tree leaves, injury to his friend Buck (Warren Foster Buck) from town of Norway, fitting windows to the camp huts and his intention of spending New Year’s day with a ‘bonnie girl’ in Bonar Bridge who had a very nice pianola!
Lovell writes:
“Arday, Ross shire, Scotland. December 2 - 1917
Dear Par and Mar,
Just a few lines as there is nothing else for excitement. I only worked about one day last week as the weather was so bad. It rained all the week and last night it snowed about three inches.
This morning Lacy and I went over the mountain taking a few pictures. Enclosed you will find some holly leaves which I picked this morning. You will see by the leaves there are two kinds. We often see holly this time of year in the States but buy it instead of picking it off the trees.
Everything thing is going pretty smoothly and the time is flying. Only six months and fourteen days before I sail for home. I heard Thursday that Bill Frothingham was married and I was some surprised. Guess Raymond Penfold and I are the only ones left of the old bunch that used to hang together.
I went up to the hospital yesterday and saw Buck from Norway. He chopped his right knee with an axe. I carried him in some chocolates and grapes, found he was getting good care and getting along well. It wasn’t an awfully bad cut; it doesn’t take much of a cut in the knee to lay a man up.
We had a very nice dinner Thursday for instance, French fried and mashed potatoes, roast turkey with dressing on the side. The deserts were two kinds of pie, three kinds of cake, doughnuts, candy and fruit served an hour later. No one left the table hungry and no one ate any supper. The Government gave us the dinner as they do all our food. We have been used pretty good or at least I have no kick coming.
Well I guess there is nothing more so will close. I am looking for some letters tonight as the papers came last night. Am fine and dandy, hope this finds you the same. Sincerely Yours, Lovell.
On Note paper headed: American YMCA – On active service with American Expeditionary Force
December 8 - 1917
Dear Par & Mar:
Just a few lines this afternoon. Received a couple of letters from you from you Monday and was glad you were well. Enclosed you will find a few little shots taken on and near the job, which will give you some idea what this place is like.
Was reading the description of the farm which you went to see and it must be a pretty good one. So you still want a farm do you? Well it's all right if you think there is money enough in it. But it seems to me the farmers have been up against hard luck for the last few years.
Was surprised when I learned of Wilbur Loud’s death. Knew he wasn’t well but didn’t know he was that bad. So Almon went to the Bates College. I wrote him soon after landing and never heard from him, guess he must be busy. We hear bad news about the war just now. Guess there is a whole lot of trouble ahead yet and Russia is to blame. But in time I guess everything will come our way.
I got a picture of the boys taken on a pony’s back and it was a good one but got badly bent coming. I also had a little parcel from a friend in Dixfield which contained chocolates, chewing gum etc which came in pretty handy. I had to laugh when Beryl said Sole told her we had a tough place for winter with nothing to eat. I get plenty to eat and we all do, but there are some things which we don’t get, never the less there is almost always enough of something and we have good camps. So don’t believe anything Sole says – see. He was homesick and left without any reason at all so he is handing that spiel around so people won’t know he is a quitter.
We haven’t had anything that seems like cold weather yet. Our water pipes which run along the top of the ground have caught just once so far. Last week it rained all the time and this week it has been fine. Guess there is nothing more this time. Hope you will like the pictures. Sincerely, L Churchill. No 2 Mill Unit.
Arday, Ross shire, Scotland. December 16 - 1917
My Dear Par,
Received your letter telling me of your trade and the farm which you got. It sure sounds like a good one but don’t be like O K Clifford and cut the pine before it is ready for pine will be worth just as much five or ten years from now as it is at the present time.
Was awfully glad when I learned that Dell and Beryl were going with you for Mar must have been lonesome without them. When I get home I will try and fix things up the buildings. So if you have any good spruce fir or hemlock get enough this winter to do the job, have it sawed and stick it in good shape so that it will dry straight.
Suppose you will buy a team along this winter sometime. It’s too bad you sold the others the way things turned out but there are other teams just as good and when you buy a good one. I would have known it was you trading when you spoke of having a cow thrown in. According to that you must have about five cows and heifers, which is pretty good for a start. Are you planning to feed the hay this winter or sell it and have you got a silo?
I am sorry for George and I don’t know what he will do without Al to steer him along in tight places like he sometimes gets into.
I worked yesterday afternoon setting up windows. For the boys bought some windows for this camp, chipped together and paid for them. I didn’t help pay for them for they wouldn’t let me but wanted me to put them in which I did. We have a very good camp now, the best one in the ten units and have just six months more to live in it.
I received a box yesterday which contained shrimps, salmon and bread. Now I was glad thought of my stomach but we have plenty of salmon and bread so you don’t need to send any food. But if you do want to send anything, make it gloves and tobacco. You no need to send anything very often but once in a couple of months you might send me a couple of cuts of Every Day (tobacco) and a few of Standard Navy. Don’t send anything after the fifteenth of April for it might not get here before I would be starting for America.
Lumbering is a hard proposition in this country. No snow but mud knee deep which keeps everything wet and dirty. Some of the boys think if the war is still on at the end of the coming six months and they want us to stay right here, that they will stay another six months or a year. I think when my contract expires I will go home but can tell much better at that time. It all depends on the situation of war at that time. The Germans are yet strong. Russia is on the shelf and it puts the Allies in a dangerous situation at the present time. But when the Americans get in strong I think it will change things some or at least I hope so.
Won’t write any more this time but take good care and don’t work too hard moving. Love to All, L. I. C. No 2 Mill Unit
Arday, Ross-shire, Scotland. December 30 - 1917
My Dear Beryl :
Received a couple of cards from you yesterday & that is the only mail which I have had from home since I can remember probably two weeks but I am looking for some tonight. Am glad you have such a nice farm and when I get home I will fix up whatever Dad wants. I hated to have Dad leave Paris for I was afraid he would be homesick but if you and Dell are going in company I guess he will be all right.
So you think perhaps I may get a tea set. Well I had to laugh when I read that for I thought you new me much better than that. Well do you know I am having a birthday tomorrow and if I’m not mistaken it means twenty two for yours truly. I have given up all hopes of capturing a broad, guess I must have been designed for an old time bachelor.
New Years is a big day in Scotland and England. I am going to spend it with a scotch lassie who is very bonnie – “do you understand Scotch”? Never the less she has a very nice pianola and that is the only one in Bonar Bridge. You can see although I am in a foreign land where excitement is unknown I shine just the same. The boys who have to spend holidays in camp simply because they lack invitations find it pretty tough and wonder where I get my pull.
Suppose the boys remembered me at Christmas but I couldn’t send them anything worthwhile. When I get home I will fix it up with them. Mar tells me that she is fine and dandy and I think perhaps a farm life will do her good and I’m sure it will Dad if he doesn’t try to do too much. The weather is still warm with no snow. It seems more like September than December. I am fine and have not lost a meal since I left home even when I had blood poisoning my appetite was the best. My finger is yet tender and I keep it bandaged when at work but it is coming fine.
Well I guess there is nothing more this time so will ring off. Love to all at home and enquiring friends.
Sincerely Your, Brother. No 2 Mill Unit”
Please see the PDF link to images of Lovell’s letters below.
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Groups: American sawmillers in Scotland 1917, Caithness and Sutherland