Addiewell in Wartime - Second World War

POWs, ARP, Savings campaigns, Soldiers' Comforts Fund, and V.E. Day

Prisoner of War Escapes

Mr Wm. Young of 69 Moorelands, has received intimation that his son Driver Wm. Young of the R.A.S.C. has escaped from an Italian P.O.W. camp and is now in Switzerland.  He was taken prisoner about two years ago.  William worked as a miner at Woodmuir Colliery before joining the forces in 1940.

Film Show

A filmshow under the auspices of the M.O.I.  (Ministry of Information) was held in Loganlea Hall on Tuesday evening.  Films shown included one demonstrating how to deal with  "Butterfly Bombs".  The other films were entitled "The Cameronian in Action", dealing with the hazardous task of a newsreel cameramen; "Clearing the Debris", showing what to do with demolished buildings; "A Fighter has Crashed", giving instruction on how to rescue the pilot from a plane that has crashed.  A film "Breathing Space" showed the people of Britain rehearsing.  There was a good attendance.

Midlothian Advertiser, 3 Mar 1944, p. 2

Local Soldier injured

Jack McWhinnie of 1 Faraday Place has been injured in a tank collision in India where he has been for some months.  He is in hospital in Poona. 

Midlothian Advertiser, 7 Apr 1944, p. 2

Salute the Soldier

Advert for the Salute the Soldier savings campaign.

Midlothian Advertiser.

Many activities in support of Salute the Soldier campaign are being held in the village this week.  Last Friday evening a sale was held in Loganlea at which £67 was realised.

On Monday there was a Parade of the Civil Defence Units.  The parade, headed by West Calder Pipe Band, marched from Addiewell to Moorelands where Lt. Col. J. Balfour Paul took the salute.  After the parade a sale was held in Addiewell at which £42 was raised, making a total of £109 3s 9d for the two nights.

On Tuesday members and friends of Addiewell Youth Club sponsored an open air concert.  The first show was given in Addiewell and then the party moved on to Loganlea.  The sum of £5 was raised by this effort.

Midlothian Advertiser, June 1944

Ration Books

The new ration books will be issued on Thursday at the Institute Hall. 

Midlothian Advertiser, June 1944

Soldiers' Comforts Fund

Loganlea and Moorelands Soldiers' Comforts Fund held the first of a weekly series of efforts in Loganlea Hall on Tuesday evening.  The evening took the form of a bring and buy sale.  Songs were rendered by Miss M. Young and Mrs Russell and the company engaged in community singing.  A dance and a game followed.

Midlothian Advertiser 2 Mar 1945, p. 2

Prisoner Home

Private Fred McDonald returned home after being five years in a German prison camp.  He was captured at St Valery in June 1940.

Midlothian Advertiser, 4 May 1945, p. 2

Welcome Home

A large company met in the Institute Hall on Wednesday evening to give a welcome home to Pte. John Walker.  Mr Anderson presided, and other present were Mr and Mrs Walker snr., Mrs Walker jr., Mr and Mrs Forrester, Mrs Moore J.P.  Before the tea the company observed a two minutes silence in memory of the lads who had made the supreme sacrifice. An enjoyable programme of music and dancing was greatly enjoyed by the company who spent a very pleasant evening.

Midlothian Advertiser, 18 May 1945, p. 2

V.E. Day

Last week the village was gaily decorated and the children built and lit a bonfire.  The Rev. J. Lyon conducted a largely-attended service in church.

Midlothian Advertiser, 18 May 1945, p. 2