Lieutenant Herrick Peter Gladstone Leyden was the son of Patrick Peter and Margaret Florence Gladstone Leyden, of Beechwood, 9 Pitcullen Terrace, Perth. Herrick was born on 24 March 1898 at Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley. His father was a Customs and Excise and Old Age Pensions Officer in Tay Street. […]
Kenneth Bruce, author of Where Sky and Summit Meet: Flight over Perthshire – A History: Tales of Pilots, Airfields, Aeronautical Feats, & War (2019) has researched the stories of many of those from Perthshire who served in the airforce during theFirst and Second World Wars. The list below is a STREET/TOWN index […]
William (Bill) Simpson Fraser (sometimes spelt Frazer) was born on 5 June 1908 to the Alexander family of 12 Pitcullen Crescent, Perth. The family business was Messrs Frazer & Sons, Clothiers (merchant tailors and complete outfitters) which was located at 55-59 High Street, Perth, with branches in Pitlochry, Kingussie and […]
On the night of 20/21 May 1940, Vickers Wellington Mk.Ic R3152 (KO-J) of RAF 115 squadron was lost, on a combat tactical operation in support of the Allied armies in France, during an attack on the Meusse River Crossing at Dinant, Belguim, and German troop concentrations and transport about 100/150 […]
Battle of Britain pilot, Sergeant Alexander Henry Thom 114075 RAFVR was born in Perth on 29 May 1919. He was educated at Perth Academy and Dundee Technical College; and later trained as a quantity surveyor. Thom was the son of George Thom and his wife, 44 Crieff Road, Perth. Prior […]
‘The Mother of Radar’, Margaret Robertson was born in St Catherine’s Road, Perth. Her father, David, was a draughtsman and her mother was employed in Campbell’s Dyeworks. Her father was a partner for a few years, along with Alexander Robertson in the Perth Foundry business, Paul Street, off the Old […]
Kenneth Bruce, author of Where Sky and Summit Meet: Flight over Perthshire – A History: Tales of Pilots, Airfields, Aeronautical Feats, & War (2019) has researched the stories of many of those flew, were born, lived, or trained in Perthshire, including those who served in the air forces during the First and […]
Acting Flight Lieutenant William M Walton from Guildtown, Perthshire, was awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) during the Second world War. Walton, the son of Mr and Mrs Edward Walton, Mavisbank, Guildtown was educated at Guildtown School and Balhousie Boys’ School. He was later employed at Newmiln Estates where his father […]
Gavin Strang Smith was the son of Robert and Marion Leiper Smith of Drumearn, Kincarrathie Crescent, Perth. He was educated at Sharp’s Institution and Perth Academy (1933/1938). He served his law apprenticeship (trainee solicitor) between 1938 and 1940 with Messer’s McCash & Hunter, Perth. Gavin enlisted in the Royal Air […]
The situation in Europe in the summer of 1939 was deteriorating and as a prudent measure, Leslie Hore-Belisha, Secretary of State for War, persuaded the cabinet of Neville Chamberlain to introduce a limited form of conscription on 27 April 1939. The Military Training Act being passed the following month. Only […]
