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Ardtarig
Ardtarig, located at the head of Loch Striven, became a secondary naval base known as "Varbel II." |
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Bute Mobile Canteen
Bute's WVS Mobile Canteen, operated by local women volunteers, moved around Bute feeding the hungry commandos. |
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Bute Home Guard marching in Victoria St
Bute's Home Guard, the real Dad's Army, marching down Victoria Street in Rothesay. They really did a great job. |
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Canadian Commando Badge
Badge of the Canadian Commandos who trained on and around Bute. |
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Certificate from H.M. Queen Elizabeth II
Certificate of thanks and appreciation from H.M. Queen Elizabeth II sent to those who had evacuees billeted with them during the War. |
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Entertainment (1)
Regular entertainment was also arranged in Rothesay's Winter Garden. |
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Entertainment (2)
Concert organized by HMS Cyclops Titania in the Pavilion 1942. |
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Evacuees on board ship
Young evacuees wondering "Why have we been sent away so far from Home?" |
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Evacuees with Dr Buchanan
Six happy evacuee children from Townhead after a month with local Bute doctor, Dr Buchanan. |
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King George Certificate
Certificates awarded to children by H.M. King George VI at the end of the War. |
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Grow more food
Instead of flower gardens, people were urged to grow vegetables. |
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Rations
One week's ration for one person. |
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HMS Cyclops in Rothesay Bay
HMS Cyclops, home-based in Rothesay, was affectionately known as "Cycle Box." |
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HMS Cyclops with submarines alongside
HMS Cyclops (in Rothesay Bay) looked after her submarines like a mother hen with her chicks nestled around her. |
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King George
H.M. King George VI meeting submariners who were training on and around Bute. |
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Kyles Hydro
Kyles Hydro Hotel - once a luxury hotel with tennis courts, putting greens, and small swimming pool - was requisitioned by the Royal Navy to become "H.M.S. Varbel" (named after Commanders Varley and Bell who designed the X-Craft prototype). |
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Kyles Hydro - Aerial View
A more detailed view of the Hyles Hydro Hotel, known as "H.M.S. Varbel" during the war years. |
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Varbel's Bell
Varbel's Bell. This special bell originally belonged to "The Politician", the whisky-laden ship lost off Eriskay in February 1941. |
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Land Army Lass
One of Bute's Land Army Girls. |
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March Map
The Bute Battery (St Valery). Upon their return P.O.W.s told of how they were forced to march hundreds of miles across Europe to their prison camps. |
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Midgets in Floating Dock
Six Midget Submarines in Port Bannatyne's floating dock being checked over before the Tirpitz raid. |
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Oil Tanker Imperial Transport in Kilchattan Bay
The "Imperial Transport" - only half the ship made it back to Kilchattan Bay. |
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Pavilion
The venue of many entertainment events and 'big band' dances for the troops and locals. |
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Port Bannatyne Cenotaph
Port Bannatyne War Memorial - to the memory of 39 men lost on active service. |
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San Demetrio
German battleship Admiral Scheer shelled and badly damaged this vessel. Her crew brought her back without a bridge and only half a steering wheel. |
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Sceptre and Voltaire(?)
Submarines H.M.S. Sceptre and H.M.S. Voltaire (the latter not 100% certain) in Rothesay Bay on V-E Day. |
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Sinbad
Eric Morley, who ended up organizing Miss World Competitions, started in Rothesay during the War organizing concerts and pantomimes. This is the bill for "Sinbad the Sailor." |
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Territorial Army
Bute Territorial Army (Bute Battery) before leaving for France. |
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The Gay Queen
The "Gay Queen", a popular pleasure craft seen in Rothesay Bay, was requisitioned by the Admiralty and sent to Scapa Flow. |
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The Jeani Deans' in camouflage
The "Jeanie Deans'" paddle steamer was requisitioned to become a minesweeper in the 11th Flotilla based at Portsmouth. |
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The Jeani Deans'
The "Jeanie Deans'" was one of 9 steamers that 'went to war' some as minesweepers, others as troop ships. She also brought the first wave of evacuees from Glasgow to Bute. |
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Rothesay's Winter Gardens
Rothesay's Winter Gardens, now the Isle of Bute Discovery Centre, was also requisitioned and used for a time as a general kitchen and mess for all troops. |
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X-Craft exercising in Loch Striven
An X-Craft (Midget Submarine) exercising in Loch Striven which offered perfect protection. |
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X-Craft in Kames Bay
An X-Craft (Midget Submarine) exercising in waters around Bute. Only a job for brave young volunteers. |
