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Local Defence Volunteers (LDV) Birsay, 1940.
The Look, Duck and Vanish boys - as they were sometimes known - were the precursors of the Home Guard, from May to July 1940. This determined-looking group is no 'Dad's Army' of men too old for active service. Many would be in 'reserved occupations' (mainly farming?), not eligible for call-up to the regular forces but eager to defend their homeland. The only one I can name is the CO (middle of back row) Charlie Hourston of Beaquoy farm - my uncle - wearing his WW1 medal ribbons. On the eventual disbandment of the Home Guard he was appointed MBE in recognition of his services. I'm sure other names will come to the minds of viewers. Remarkably, all the men have uniforms; many didn't in those early days.
View Large VersionPicture added on 24 October 2009 at 18:11
Far be it for me to question you, Ian, but are you sure this is the LDV in Birsay?
I am 100% certain that two of the men in the front row are my grandfather, Jim Flett, Nistaben, Harray - second from the right - and my great-grandfather, Tom Aitken, also of Harray (although I don't know where he would have been living at the time, the Glebe, maybe) - fourth from the left - along with several other Harray men that I think I recognise. I'm confident that the first from the left in the front row is James Sinclair, the Lairds, Harray, but would need to run some of the other names past someone a little older.
Could your uncle have been in charge of more than one West Mainland battalion (if that's the right word)?
I am 100% certain that two of the men in the front row are my grandfather, Jim Flett, Nistaben, Harray - second from the right - and my great-grandfather, Tom Aitken, also of Harray (although I don't know where he would have been living at the time, the Glebe, maybe) - fourth from the left - along with several other Harray men that I think I recognise. I'm confident that the first from the left in the front row is James Sinclair, the Lairds, Harray, but would need to run some of the other names past someone a little older.
Could your uncle have been in charge of more than one West Mainland battalion (if that's the right word)?
Added by Graham Garson on 25 October 2009
My mistake, Emile and Graham. I got carried away by the fact that Beaquoy is in Birsay parish (just!). It's the Harray LDV. Apologies to all crabs from this bluidy pudding.
Added by Ian Hourston on 27 October 2009
Billy Fiddler went on to be a fighter pilot.
Added by Willie Watters on 27 October 2009
You missed one out in the back row Emile. 2nd from the right is J Flett, I think of Furso. Many a story was told by Dad (Jock Firth) of the Harray Look, Dook and Vanish! They may have all had uniforms but weapons were in short supply.
Added by Barbara West on 28 October 2009
There appears to be one name missing from the right side of the back row. These are the last four names after Charles Hourston that I was given by the late John Firth of Nettletar:
Robbie Harcus, Beboran; Davie Adamson, Nether Corston; John Flett, Lower Northbigging; Bob Flett, Fidge.
John Firth also said that they were being inspected by some 'big-wig' the evening that this photograph was taken - this might account for them all having uniforms.
When 'Dad's Army' came on the television I was always stuck by Willie Oag's resemblance to 'Godfrey'. There was a 'connection' because Willie was an accomplished actor and appeared in a great many drama productions.
Robbie Harcus, Beboran; Davie Adamson, Nether Corston; John Flett, Lower Northbigging; Bob Flett, Fidge.
John Firth also said that they were being inspected by some 'big-wig' the evening that this photograph was taken - this might account for them all having uniforms.
When 'Dad's Army' came on the television I was always stuck by Willie Oag's resemblance to 'Godfrey'. There was a 'connection' because Willie was an accomplished actor and appeared in a great many drama productions.
Added by Harold Esson on 28 October 2009
David Meadows Adamson(NetherCorstan, Harry), was my first cousin once removed, as we share William Adamson(1854-1936)
Added by Keith Adamson on 30 October 2010
I also remember Dad telling me that Willie Oag saluted said "Bigwig" with a big flourish and his feet slid from under him and he ended up flat on his back to everyone's amusement. Think they had a heck of a job keeping straight faces!
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Added by Barbara West on 05 November 2010
Stromness parish
I think the names are as follows.
Back Row
Alfred Flett(Nedgarth, Harray) John R Flett (Moan, Harray) Billy Fiddler (Dounby) John Clouston(Garth, Corston) Charles Hourston (Beaquoy,Dounby)
Billy Harcus (Beboran,Harray) David Adamson (NetherCorston, Harray) Robert Flett (Fidge,Sandwick)
Middle Row
Sammy Firth ( Quoychristie,Harray) Caleb Walter (Nearhouse, Harray) John Firth ( Nettletar , Harray) James Hourston ( Dounby Farm)
John Stout (Geroin ,Harray) William Oag (Dounby) John Shearer (Schoolhouse , Harray) Robert Flett (Furso, Harray) Hector Spence (Biggings, Beaquoyside) John Clouston ( Nisthouse, Harray)
Front Row
James Sinclair ( Midhouse, Harray ) Sandy Johnston ( Garth , Harray) William Laird ( Viewfield, Harray) Tome Aitken ( Glebe)
William Firth ( Dunsyre, Harray) Jim Paterson ( Nessbreck, Harray) John Corrigal ( Northbigging, Dounby) Alfie Hutchison (Overhouse, Harray)
Jim Flett ( Nistaben , Harray) Ernie Firth ( Ness,Harray)