On 23 August after heavy fighting Soviet forces recaptured the city of Kharkov in the Ukraine, as they continued their advance following the battle of Kursk; the German army had now lost the initiative in the east and would be on the defensive from hereon in. Also this week, on 29 August Germany imposed martial law on Denmark; the Danish navy responded by scuttling most of their fleet to keep it out of German hands.
In Caithness the late summer farming and fishing was progressing well, as the John O’Groat Journal reported. In Murkle, “The cutting of oats has been commenced on West Murkle Farm, where Mr Thomas Sinclair secured a bumper crop during last weekend.” And in Lybster, “The herring fishing is in full swing. Catches are good and of excellent quality.”
Schools across the county went back this week after the summer holidays, and the Head Teacher of Gillock School in Bower did not appear to be happy about it. After listing some absences (“Jas. Mackay has not put in appearance yet he is reported to be in Helmsdale”) the entry in the log book turns to the condition of the building: “The walls have not been distempered, the floor has not been put right, neither the waste pipe nor the gate pillar have been attended to.”
On 28 August the County Council noted that the Ministry of Supply had applied “for permission to remove about 500 tons of beach material from the fore-shore below high water mark at Dunbeath”. It’s interesting to note that the Council consulted with some local people before making a decision: “Mr C.K. Fraser, Road Surveyor … had had a talk with a few fishermen at Dunbeath, who stated that the removal of beach material would not affect the harbour in any way, and that there should be no objection to the proposal, which was approved.”
Finally this week, the Patagonian connection with Caithness was highlighted in the John O’Groat Journal, which reported that the first Allied soldier to enter Tunis was a volunteer from Argentina, Sergeant William Budge. Sgt Budge “came originally from Scotland and prior to volunteering was manager of a sheep farm near Puerto Desado… He is the second son of Mr and Mrs Jas. Budge, Mavsey, Lybster.”
Coming soon! Week 209, 30th August – 5th September 1943, will be published on Monday 29th August 2016. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page.
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