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Francis Buchanan

Francis Buchanan was born on 23 March 1825 in Bridgend, in the parish of Kinnoull, Perth. His father was James Buchanan, a master joiner and cabinet maker from Callander. His mother was Catherine Ewan from Kinfauns. His parents, and four siblings who died in infancy were buried at the Old […]


Flight Sergeant William Knaggs

When Bill Knaggs retired at the age of 60, he moved to Stanley to spend the last 23 years of his life. Bill was shot down over Northern France in 1944, only one of two crew members of his Avro Lancaster bomber to survive; Knaggs not only survived the crash, […]


Flight Lieutenant William Reid VC

William Reid was born in Baillieston in Glasgow on 21 December 1921, the son of a blacksmith. He attended Swinton Primary and Coatbridge Secondary School. After training with the RAF in Canada, Reid gained his wings and was commissioned on 19 June 1942 as a pilot officer on probation in […]


German Air Reconnaissance

When Germany was preparing to invade Britain, their military preparations included the production of a series of military/geographical assessments, showing what might be found by those arriving. This material was to be used in a military evaluation of the regions of the British Isles and considered each from the viewpoint […]


Sergeant William J J McDougall

Twin-engine, medium bomber, Avro Manchester 679 L7303 EM-P of RAF 207 Squadron from RAF Waddington took off at 19.30 hours on a mission to attack Düsseldorf, Germany on the night of 27/28 March 1941. At around 22.30 hours, they bombed the target, making two approaches and dropping a stick of […]


Flight Lieutenant Douglas Cameron DFM

Douglas Cameron completed four tours of operations, 122 flight bomber missions over enemy territory as a rear gunner during the Second World War. He flew with three VC recipients and bailed out of two aircraft. Two of those pilots were both awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions when they […]


Second Lieutenant Howard Watson

Howard Watson was the son of Robert and Margaret Irons Chalmers Watson, Birnam View, Coupar Angus. His father was the Town Clerk of Coupar Angus. Watson was formerly engaged in the Bank of Scotland and enlisted in 1917. Watson died age 18 whilst training with RAF 64 Training Squadron at […]