Silent Heroes: My Quest to Honour My Granda’s WWII Experience
My Granda, George Campbell Rush, born the 3rd of December 1920. Granda was born in the family home in Florence Street, Glasgow, an area known as the Gorbals.
A Letter from the Past
When my mum passed away (August 2023), I re-discover a personal letter addressed to my granda. The letter is written by one of his fellow soldiers. This letter detailed information about my Granda’s war in Holland. The only story Granda ever told about World War 2 was when he was shot. Half his leg was blown away and he was lying on the ground, somewhere in Holland.
Two armed German soldiers came up to Granda. Granda would always say, “I knew I was a gonner!” Then the unbelievable happened the two German soldiers surrendered to Granda, this seriously injured, unarmed man lying on the ground, and took him to assistance.
This was all we knew about Granda’s War, nothing else. This re-discovered letter had clues about where this had all happened and I am shocked to read that 5 of Granda’s friends, fellow Cameronians, died. They never came home and a Mill is linked to the whole story!
This unexpected find sparks a deep desire within me to uncover more about my granda’s wartime journey. Driven by this poignant piece of history, I embark on a quest to trace the footsteps of Granda, and his friends bravery, and learn more about the place where they fought and where his comrades fell.
Piecing Together the Past: Clues from the Letter and a Dutch Mill
Once armed with the clues from the original letter, I begin to piece together the details of where my granda’s war might have unfolded. The letter hints at significant locations, including a mill that played a crucial role in his story. Determined to uncover the full narrative. Next I obtain my granda’s war record and seek assistance from the Cameronian Regiment Facebook page. My research leds me to the Dutch Mill website, where I try to identify the mill mentioned in the letter. Delving deeper, I looked online to find the names of the five comrades who perished alongside my granda . I aim to discover where they are laid to rest. Then hopefully, one day I can pay my respects.
Significantly, each step brings me closer to understanding the true extent of his wartime experiences.
Connecting the Dots: Assistance from the Cameronians and the Liberation Museum (Bevrijdingsmuseum)
Not until I arrive in Holland does my journey take a significant turn! The Secretary of the Cameronians, Douglas, recognises similarities to my Grandas story and his mother and father. Just like Granny and Granda, his father was a Cameronian from Glasgow. His mother a lady from Bridge of Allan. We soon realise that he was infact at school with my Aunty Molly in Bridge of Allan.
My Granda and his fellow Cameronians were trained in Comrie (Perthshire). They were billetted in Bridge of Allan, hence why the boys would have met the local Bridge of Allan girls. Granda was taught elite skills in the hills of Perthshire including to ski and parachute. Ultimately he would not end up using these skills when he was deployed. (The Battle of the Schedlt also known as The Forgotten War/ The Forgotten Battle).
Before we leave Scotland, Douglas reaches out to the Liberation Museum in Zeeland, Holland, via email. The email and this introduction opens up new avenues for us to explore. Also the museum has extensive archives and resources about the region’s wartime history. No greater resource than Steff (Traas) and his Dad. Within the email that Douglas sends to the Liberation museum are vital clues from Brigadier Barclay’s account from the 27th of October 1944!
Finally their expertise and personal knowledge provide critical insights, helping us to confirm the location of the Mill. In a word, Amazing!
