Yesterday, we received this great donation from Orkney Museum (pictured left).The 'Island Times' was a newspaper made by the 296 Bty of the 66th (Leeds Rifles) A. A. Regt. R.A. for servicemen on Orkney.
It was launched just before the more professional 'Orkney Blast' which was edited by Eric Linklater and printed on an actual printing press.
The 'Island Times' has a more charming, homemade feel to it with hand lettered headlines and cut-and-paste typewritten articles.
Section headings include: 'Items from the Stations', 'Sport', 'Weddings', 'Gossip', 'Footlights' and 'About Birds.'
We have received two copies of the first issue, dated 24th December 1940, and a copy of the second issue, dated January 1941. We also hold copies of the 'Orkney Blast' on microfilm from January 1941 - November 1944.
Hi there. My Dad, Joseph Simmons, was with Battery 185 of the same regiment. He often mentioned St Margaret's Hope in South Ronaldsay, so I think he was based at the nearby Battery at Hoxa. They were there from September 1940 till June 1941, when they were moved back to West Yorkshire, then Coventry & Birmingham, before being sent to India in May 1942, then eventually Burma. I would love to know if this newspaper refers to any individual soldiers or has photos of them, whether at work or in social occasions. I notice the mention of 'Footlights' which suggests to me entertainment - well although shy in some ways, he wasn't when it came to demonstrating his fine singing voice on stage! Any background to how these young men got by would be fascinating! Cheers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Derek. We can have a look and get back to you. If you email us on archives@orkney.gov.uk we can contact you directly.
Delete