Scottish War Blinded Newsletter
Spring 2014
Welcome to the latest edition of the Scottish War Blinded
newsletter.
2014 marks the beginning of World War One commemorations
across Scotland. In this edition, we provide information about
the Scottish War Blinded World War One (WW1) exhibition
taking place in November.
In our Members’ Features section, Ian Graham describes his
passion for blind bowling, a popular Scottish War Blinded
activity since its foundation in 1915. James Wilkie also shares
his naval experiences which earned him the Arctic Star in 2013.
We provide news about a planned Scottish War Blinded
conference, a new drop-in club in Angus and an update from
the Scottish War Blinded Young Members Group.
SWB World War One Exhibition
Scottish War Blinded will host a WW1 commemorative
exhibition at Central Library, Edinburgh in November. The
exhibition will describe trench warfare, the introduction of gas
attacks, Scottish War Blinded’s foundation and how its legacy
of training and rehabilitation continues via the Linburn Centre
and Outreach services.
Scottish War Blinded members are invited to share stories of
relatives who served during World War I.
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If you have a story you wish to share, please contact your
outreach worker or a Linburn Centre member of staff.
Ian Graham
Ian has recently been appointed the Match Secretary for the
Scottish Association for Blind Bowlers. He provides insight into
the sport:
How long have you been participating in blind bowling?
“I’ve been bowling just short of three years now – my son
became a Gaol Ball star for Great Britain so I said I’m going to
play for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games. He asked me
what sport I’d be doing and I said bowling! So I found out about
bowling, took it up and have enjoyed it ever since. It has
changed my life and given me a real sense of purpose.”
Can you describe the process of blind bowling?
“We have four classifications; B1 for those who are totally blind
to B4 who are partially sighted. There is a line down the centre
of the green providing a clock system where we are told where
the bowl comes to rest from the jack. Once you get the range
you adapt accordingly.”
Are you aware that bowling has been a popular activity for
Scottish War Blinded members historically?
“I’ve only been bowling just short of three years but it was soon
brought to my attention that blind bowling originated from
Scottish War Blinded. At the Scottish Blind Bowling
Championships last year, I heard that members of the Royal
British Legion used to play against Scottish War Blinded
members pointing out, to great discomfort, that they used to
lose regularly to the members at Linburn.”
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How are your plans to play for Scotland coming along?
“It’s coming along well - I’ve been invited to the last two
sessions with the Scottish Development Squad. My target is the
World Games in New Zealand 2015, along with one or two
other Scottish War Blinded members, who intend on being
there to represent their country with pride.”
James Wilkie
James describes his Royal Navy experiences during World War
II aboard HMS Duckworth:
“I was called up in 1943 to HMS Royal Arthur in Skegness
where you received drill, clothing and a general medical. We
then moved to HMS Scotia in Ayrshire to begin a trainee
telegraphist course. We were based there for 14 weeks moving
on to HMS Valkyrie to complete our course.
Posted to HMS Duckworth, our home port was Belfast sailing
south to the English Channel searching for U-Boats which took
in the Bay of Biscay, Eastern Atlantic, Land’s End, Channel
Islands, Western France and Northern Spain. We sank seven
U-boats over the course of that year.”
James describes the novel way he received an indication that
his next mission was to support merchant shipping to Russia:
“We got most of our information from the dancehalls. One girl
said to me ‘do you know where you’re off to next week?’ I said
no, she says ‘You’re off to Russia’.
The next day there was an issue of warm clothing, which
sealed the deal, and we set off for Loch Ewe a few days later.”
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Loch Ewe was a large, fortified anchorage in the northwest
highlands of Scotland providing a staging point for arctic
convoys to assemble and depart to Russia. Described by
Winston Churchill as ‘the worst journey in the world’, the
convoys faced freezing conditions and a deadly gauntlet of
German U-boats and aircraft.
James describes his role in protecting the convoy:
“My role involved listening to messages coming through to the
ship from Liverpool and places like that and also tracking
indisputable echoes, bearing and distance of potential enemy
U-boats to protect the merchant shipping. Sinking U-Boats
proved difficult as they dive deep five miles out subsequently
losing the echo.”
When asked about facing the dangers of U-boats James said:
“You never gave it a great deal of thought, it had been done
before, it was another job; I never gave a thought of not coming
back, it would have been silly to look at it like that.”
James arrived safely docking in Polyarno in November 1944,
returning later that month to Belfast. His mission to Russia
earned him the Arctic Star which was awarded in May 2013 at
a ceremony by Loch Ewe.
Scottish War Blinded Conference 2014
Scottish War Blinded will host a conference in summer 2014
bringing our members together to have a say in the provision
and development of services. There will also be seminars and
small group discussions. A letter will be sent to members in the
spring providing further information.
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Scottish War Blinded Young Members Group
John Kerr, Outreach Worker for Glasgow, provides an update
about the Scottish War Blinded Young Members Group:
“We have developed an annual calendar of events and
activities for the year including gliding, fishing and various other
social events. We have also devised a series of mini-events to
commemorate the WWI anniversary involving the number 100,
including walking around sport stadiums such as Ibrox and
Parkhead plus planting 100 poppies across Scotland.”
For further information, contact John: 0141 332 4632
Happy 100th Birthday
Charlie Sutherland celebrated his 100th birthday on 30
December 2014. Charlie appreciated his letter from the Queen
and enjoyed a quiet celebration with family and friends. His
secret to his longevity is doing the Courier crossword and
regular walking when he was younger.
New Dundee and Angus Drop-in Club for Scottish War
Blinded Members
Outreach worker for Dundee and Angus, Carole Martin,
describes what members can expect:
“The club is going to be very informal; members can expect a
lovely welcome, a blether over a cup of tea and some laughs
with the potential of social outings in the future. I will also be
there to provide advice and support to any matter which may
arise. It’s an opportunity for new friendships to be formed,
laughs to be had and something our members can look forward
to every month.”
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For further information, contact Carole: 01382 227101
IT Tuition at the Linburn Centre
Brian Wilson, IT Instructor at the Linburn Centre, describes the
range of IT services provided to members:
“We provide tuition on all Microsoft products and visual
impairment software such as Jaws and Dolphin. We also tutor
touch typing courses as well as i-pad tuition, setting up email
accounts and guidance on how to use the internet.”
Have you experienced IT being embraced by members?
“It has been a hugely positive experience; members never
cease to amaze me with their enthusiasm for new technology,
willingness to take on board new ideas and a determination to
succeed.”
How will IT services develop at the Linburn Centre in the
future?
“The IT Suite is moving to the large lounge in April. We hope to
enhance the experience of playing games, online crosswords
and listening to music by connecting to a large screen making
games more enjoyable and encouraging participation. I am
currently working on a tuition programme focusing on shopping
online safely and confidently, home delivery of groceries and
sending gifts to friends and family abroad.”
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The Scottish War Blinded Newsletter is available in audio
format.
Contact Scottish War Blinded
Head Office
P.O. Box No 500
Gillespie Crescent
EH10 4HZ
0131 229 1456
The Linburn Centre
Louis Braille Avenue
Wilkieston
EH27 8EJ
0131 333 1369
Email: [email protected]
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