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David Bews (front right)in battle dress. This picture was taken in Orkney during WW2. I'm unsure if he was still in the RA or was then in the Seaforth Highlanders? I think the man (front left) is his best mate Sandy?
Picture added on 18 November 2009 at 21:04
All the Bews boys from Strathore Farm in Shapinsay, top row,L-R., Billy Bews, Jim Bews,J acky Bews. Front row,L-R., Sam Bews, Dave Bews. Added by Phil Brough.
Anonymous comment added on 19 November 2009
Well I could be wrong and please correct me if I am,but I would say the gentleman front left is none other than the late Sam Bews formerly of the Orkney Constabulary.
The gentleman in the R.A.F. uniform in the middle of the back row is the late Jim Bews formerly insurance agent in Kirkwall,and also a well known football referee in his day.
There is nothing in this photo to suggest Seaforth Highlander uniform I would say.
For what it's worth I would also say that this photo has strong Shapinsay connections.
The gentleman in the R.A.F. uniform in the middle of the back row is the late Jim Bews formerly insurance agent in Kirkwall,and also a well known football referee in his day.
There is nothing in this photo to suggest Seaforth Highlander uniform I would say.
For what it's worth I would also say that this photo has strong Shapinsay connections.
Added by Peter Burges. on 19 November 2009
You are right Peter, these are the 5 Bews brothers from Strathore Shapinsay and that is indeed Sam at the front.My Dad, Dave is front right.
Added by Mag MacDonald (Bews) on 23 November 2009
Thanks for all the info, It's all getting jotted down beside the original photo. Any other info will be gratefully received. David Bews started in the Artillery but definitely ended up in the Seaforths in France/germany. He talked about it frequently when I was a wee loon & his headstone has the Seaforths cap badge on it (near Kintore in Aberdeenshire). I remember my Mum (Mag MacDonald (nee Bews) has a pic of Sam Bews in Police uniform somewhere in the house.
Added by Kenneth MacDonald on 24 November 2009
was there an Edgar Bews in this family, in my pics on here , there is a trio of musicians, i think some of them are from Shapinsay, maybe relations of my late granny Francis Nicolson, and think one of them is Edgar Bews...
Added by Jimmy Hamilton on 24 November 2009
No Edgar in this family as far as I know. These were all the brothers of this generation. Unfortunately I don't know much about Jackie's family but I know there was no Edgar in the next generation from the other four Bews brothers. Jackie was always based in Shapinsay so maybe someone else knows his family.
Added by Mag MacDonald (Bews) on 25 November 2009
think the Edgar I mentioned maybe went to Canada..
Added by Jimmy Hamilton on 27 November 2009
Kenneth...can you describe his Cap Badge?....this could be a clue as to which Battalion he belonged to
Added by Peter Burges. on 27 November 2009
Billy Bews was my grandfather who moved to Aberdeenshire in 1950.
Added by Phyllis Garden (Bews) on 29 November 2009
An Edgar Bews was born in Kirkwall in 1920, and married Margaret Craigie Nicolson, from Shapinsay,in 1942. So his wife is probably the link with Jimmy Hamilton.
Added by Marlene Mainland on 02 December 2009
Thanks Marlene, that will be the Edgar I was on about, theres a pic in my stuff on here that has him in it playing the accordion in a trio, think the female box player might even be his wife but not sure..
Added by Jimmy Hamilton on 02 December 2009
Peter,
It was definately the Seaforths (Stags head with wide antlers and motto on scroll underneath). Can't help with what Battallion it was I'm afraid. Tried to look it up at Kew Gardens archive but the records had been destroyed in a building fire years ago.
It was definately the Seaforths (Stags head with wide antlers and motto on scroll underneath). Can't help with what Battallion it was I'm afraid. Tried to look it up at Kew Gardens archive but the records had been destroyed in a building fire years ago.
Added by Kenneth Macdonald on 14 December 2009
Kenneth ...it sounds like the 1st Battalion....but I could be wrong.
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Added by Peter Burges. on 16 December 2009
Shapinsay
