Allied soldiers and tanks advance through a war-torn town under German occupation A recent accidental discovery of his father's divorce record, led me on a fascinating journey to the story of Private Thomas Wallace Govans, my first cousin - twice removed, and the war against fascism in World War 2. He fought with the 2nd…
The Battle of Passchendaele in World War 1 is regarded as a symbol of the futility and devastation of war. Hubert Essame was a distinguished British Army officer who served in both world wars. He questioned why Field Marshal Douglas Haig chose to attack in an area of reclaimed marshland. For two years the Allies…
The clocks went back at the weekend. Suddenly, there are hints of winter in the air, as the last of the autumn leaves fall to the ground. It's dark early and traveling around at night is all going to be more difficult until spring arrives. Like many people, I've been having a moan about this.…
I was walking through George Square in Glasgow the other day. There was a mixture of people, some holding poppy wreaths. I was intrigued as it is a few weeks yet until Armistice Day. I crossed over to take a closer look. On one of the grassy beds in the Square, rows of white wooden…
Alexander Gavin was my great granny, Grace Govans’ cousin. This article is about his son, Frederick Charles Gavin MRCVS, DSO, was born on 19th February 1868 at Waterside, Dalmellington. His father was the manager of the Dalmellington Ironworks. Following a remarkable life, Frederick died at the age of eighty-two years in Kloof, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, on 16th October 1950. His life story deserves to be remembered.
Discovering My Family 