On 1 February the Winter War entered its final phase when Russian forces launched a major offensive against the Finnish forces defending the Karelian Isthmus, putting them under severe pressure.

On Wednesday this week came “probably the saddest scene in the history of the town” of Wick, with the mass burial of the bodies of 15 seamen washed ashore after the sinking of HMS Exmouth with the loss of all hands on 21 January. “Hundreds of people watched the departure to the cemetery, and along the streets there were many more people, and in all the groups women could be seen openly weeping”. The sailors were accorded full military honours, and the event was commemorated by a plaque in the church.

Scotland meanwhile was still in the grip of unusually cold weather, and Caithness experienced its heaviest fall of snow since 1918. Although the railways kept running, roads were blocked as temperatures dropped to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Wick river was frozen, allowing people to skate on it for the first time in years, and skiers took to Newton Hill. As the John O’Groat Journal noted, “There were days of bright sunshine and the beauty of the countryside was something rarely to be seen”.

Not everyone was so appreciative of the conditions, however. Someone signing himself “Indignant” berated the authorities for not clearing the snow from the roads before the frost set in (“it has been a disgrace”), and demanding to know, “Who is responsible for this neglect?”

The question of allotments was still being debated in Wick Burgh Council. It was resolved not to break up Bignold Park into allotments after all, because only seven applications had been received from members of the public.

Meanwhile, the Education Service was pressing on with its plans to cultivate food on school grounds to help the war effort. Staxigoe School recorded in its log book, “Form re school gardening filled in and returned to Education Office”.

The Caithness Food Control Committee met this week, and showed the extent to which food was now being controlled when it debated the question of sugar for beekeepers and marmalade makers. “Beekeepers are allowed 10lb. of sugar for each colony of bees. In order to obtain these supplies from the Food Office, beekeepers must provide a certificate from the secretary of the Beekeeper’s Association”. As for marmalade making, “each person in a household is allowed to purchase 1lb. of oranges and the Food Office will grant a permit for 3lb. of sugar for each pound of oranges on production of a receipt.”

Finally, at a time of national unity and sacrifice, it’s interesting (and a little disappointing) to see that some people took advantage of conditions such as the Blackout and New Year festivities to indulge in criminal activity. In Thurso this week several “birds of passage” who had come up from “the South” stole a number of overcoats from a dance at the Town Hall. They were “promptly apprehended” by the police and found guilty of set or re-set (i.e., receiving stolen goods).

Coming soon! Week 23, 5th - 11th February 1940, will be published on Monday 4th February 2013. To view previous issues please use the menus on the right hand side of the page. 

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