Do come and see the Iron Wellie and the Second World War pillbox
Recorded 5 years ago
About this recording
Denny Swanson recalls happy memories of growing up in Willowbank, where groups of boys played together. Summer days were spent at the nearby North Baths outdoor swimming pool.
On leaving school Denny completed his apprenticeship as a plumber before receiving his national service call-up papers. Initial army training was completed in Rhyl, North Wales before he embarked on a five-week voyage to Hong Kong, aboard the troopship SS Nevasa.
Although his intention was to train as a driver, he was persuaded to join the Military Police Force, serving in Hong Kong and Korea.
He also describes his time spent on St Kilda, building walls and repairing roofs. The meager food rations were supplemented with locally caught gannets.
On his return to Caithness Denny became a bus driver, a job he enjoyed for forty-six years, until his retirement.
During his retirement, he has worked tirelessly on a number of projects including fundraising for the Royal British Legion Scotland.
Along with a group of volunteers, Denny has worked on the restoration of the Iron Wellie, a natural spring well located on the North Head path.
On completion of the Iron Wellie, the volunteers restored the World War II pillbox, located just above the North Baths swimming pool. Denny has collected a number of artefacts and the pillbox has been developed into a World War II museum.
Denny invites people to come and see the Iron Wellie and the Second World War pillbox museum.
Contributors
Photos
Harry Gray
