Club Meeting

President Sandy Mackenzie welcomed speakers Norma Brown and Jenni Meldrum of Queensferry History Group to a meeting of Rotary South Queensferry at Conifox Bistro, Kirkliston on Thursday 6th October. The subject of their fascinating talk was Queensferry at War.

As the centenary of the First World War was approaching, History Group members began to study how the war had affected South Queensferry, which was of considerable importance because of naval bases at Port Edgar and Rosyth and also, of course, the Forth Bridge. They researched the names on the local war memorial and held two exhibitions in Queensferry Museum which were well attended. The group was also given access to photographs and information from relatives of those soldiers and naval personnel. It was used to compile a book published as Quensferry at War. Several books contained a packet of poppy seeds on the inside cover.

In 2016, to commemorate the Battle of Jutland, some members of Queensferry History Group met Princess Anne and Captain Timothy Laurence when they attended a service at the Hawes Pier and visited the Commonwealth War Graves in Queensferry Cemetery.

Norma and Jenni were introduced by Eric Proven. Morrison Handley-Schachler proposed the vote of thanks for a most interesting presentation.