A University of Dundee author is seeking local residents' help in telling the forgotten stories of hundreds of Scottish men involved in the Great War.
Dr Derek Young is researching a hitherto neglected area of history - the contribution of Scots in the First World War battlefields. His book, Scottish Voices from the First World War, will examine the collective and individual experiences of these men through their recruitment, training and active service. His work has already taken him through the University Archives' unique collection of artwork and journals by Dundee artist, poet, and WWI prisoner of war, Joseph Johnston Lee.
Now friends and relatives of soldiers from communities across Scotland are being asked to come forward with information especially diaries, photographs and letters, as well as personal verbal accounts. The result of Dr Young's research will be a fascinating account and overdue testimony to the Scottish soldier's military contribution to the Great War.
Dr Young said, "Scotland provided a high number of recruits for the New Armies, and this latest publication seeks to include as much original testimony as possible, along with photographs and documents.
In the Great War, over 690,000 Scots served, bringing with them their own customs, humour, and distinctive dress.
From the Christmas Truce of 1914 and the mud of the Western Front to the hell that was Gallipoli, the story of these Scotsmen remains untold - until now. I’d like to hear from anyone who has a soldier's story to tell."
Anyone with information or documents relating to a soldier's experience can contact Dr Young on 01382 223694 or dry@blueyonder.co.uk
Editors' notes
The following images are available (call Esther Black on 01382 344768):
Joseph Johnston Lee (1876-1949) was a journalist, artist and poet from Dundee. In 1914 he joined the 4th Battalion of the Black Watch. Two books of his war poems and sketches, Ballads of Battle and Work-a-Day Warriors were published while he was at the Front. In 1917 he became second lieutenant in the 10th Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and later that year he was captured near Cambrai. His experiences while a prisoner in camps at Karlsruhe and Beeskow are described in his book A Captive at Carlsruhe.
After the war, Lee married Miss Dorothy Barrie, a well-known viola player. The couple went to London and Lee became sub-editor on the News Chronicle. For a time he took lessons at the Slade School of Art. After his retirement in 1944 he returned to Dundee where he died in 1949. Lee's other published works were poems, Tales O' Our Town, and a short play Fra Lippo Lippi.
Scottish Voices from the First World War will be published in 2004 by Tempus Publishing Group.
Scotland’s Pals Battalions 1914-1918: Exploding the Myth, also byDerek Young, will be published 2004-5.
By Esther Black, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, e.z.black@dundee.ac.uk