This week Allied forces in the Pacific launched “Operation Cartwheel”, a campaign involving the invasion of a number of islands in the Solomon Sea with the Japanese base at Rabaul as its ultimate goal. On 21 June the 4th Marine Ranger Battalion started the campaign by landing on New Georgia in the Solomons. Also this week, on 24 June Allied bombing of Germany’s Ruhr industrial valley intensified, leading to the evacuation of many civilians from the area.
The district report in the John O’Groat Journal for Halldale gives a good impression of the activity in farms across the county: “Crops are coming away nicely. Lambs are a fair crop. Sheep-shearing is being attended to. Peats in most cases are on their first lifting… The moorland lochs seem well-stocked with trout, and on the moors young grouse are a good show.”
The pupils of John O’Groats School had an exciting visitor on 23 June, as the Head Teacher recorded in the log book: “School visited by Director of Education and an Australian Flying Officer, who spoke to the children and presented prizes won in the “Wings for Victory” competition.”
A number of schools in the county had special holidays this week in recognition of their efforts in the war effort. In the case of Ackergill School near Wick the log book records, “Monday of this week the pupils had a holiday as a reward for collecting salvage throughout the year.”
Crossroads School in Dunnet also got a salvage holiday, which in their case was helpfully combined with a fasting holiday. “School was closed on Wednesday of this week, for the customary Fast Day holiday on Thursday 24th June. Friday 25th was chosen for the holiday granted by the Education Committee for the efforts of the children in collecting salvage.”
Finally this week, the John O’Groat Journal reported an unfortunate accident that happened to an eight year-old Wick boy this week, and which shows how dangerous the detritus of war can be. Young John Dunnett was playing on the North shore when he found a metal object and took it home with him. He was sitting on the front doorstep, hitting it with a hammer, when it exploded: “the boy lost three fingers from his left hand and was badly hurt about the face and body.” Luckily that was the extent of his injuries and he was removed to Bignold Hospital (in Lybster) “where he is now making progress”.
Coming soon! Week 200, 28th June – 4th July 1943, will be published on Monday 28th June 2016. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.
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