I wonder if anyone on the list has access to Post Office Directories or Electoral Registers for Seil (around 1942) and Oban (around 1945) -- supposing they were published during the war, that is. If so, I am looking for help in clarifying or expanding on my very fragmentary memories: At one period (possibly winter 1942) I was at a house or farm which I remember vaguely as Easdale or Balvicar. The owner was perhaps a widow, and I think she had a son called Alex. Their surname may have been Low, but I may be muddled. I went briefly to a school, possibly at Clachan. In Summer 1945 I was back in Argyll again, this time I think at Ganavan House. There was a retired Brigadier-General there who had Gurkha kukris. The Japanese surrender was announced at this time, and I understood the atom bomb was "about the size of a cricket ball." It seems a bit odd to be part of one's own family history, but (a) I was very young, and (b) everyone else is dead. Any help would be most welcome. Ed Edward H. Thompson (email: [email protected]) (web: http://homepages.tesco.net/~eandcthomp/aaa.htm)

Ed Thompson wrote: > I wonder if anyone on the list has access to Post Office Directories > or > Electoral Registers for Seil (around 1942) and Oban (around 1945) -- > supposing they were published during the war, that is. If so, I am > looking > for help in clarifying or expanding on my very fragmentary memories: They are not in Oban Library unfortunately The place to ask is at the Lochgilphead archives http://www.benderloch.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=820 will give you all the contact details > > > At one period (possibly winter 1942) I was at a house or farm which I > remember vaguely as Easdale or Balvicar. The owner was perhaps a > widow, and > I think she had a son called Alex. Their surname may have been Low, > but I > may be muddled. I went briefly to a school, possibly at Clachan. > > > In Summer 1945 I was back in Argyll again, this time I think at > Ganavan > House. There was a retired Brigadier-General there who had Gurkha > kukris. > The Japanese surrender was announced at this time, and I understood > the atom > bomb was "about the size of a cricket ball." > > > It seems a bit odd to be part of one's own family history, but (a) I > was > very young, and (b) everyone else is dead. Any help would be most > welcome. It is experiences like this that I am encouraging in our Ardchattan parish project -- everyones memories of the time they spent here is evocative of the life here I hope you find the answer I will be seeing someone who may have an idea about the Ganavan house part this week - I will ask. I am not sure exactly what her connection is yet. regards Jill Bowis www.benderloch.org.uk/forum - Ardchattan history, geology, ecology, genealogy, weather, webcam, local forum www.kintaline.co.uk - where we are, what we do: Kintaline Plant and Poultry Centre