David Nicol’s Experiences in Burma.

The contributor has brought in the medals of his father, David Nicol, including Burma Star and Territorial Medal. David was a Seargent in the Army Reserve (Territorial Force) before the war. When the war broke out he joined the Royal Artillery. The photographs show David at a training camp in Selkirk at the start of the war. David is the Seargent at the front of the photograph marked "DON" TROOP (he is identified by an "X").

Ronald brought in a letter sent back to the family from Durban in South Africa, which shows postcard images of Durban on one side and the letter to the family on the other side. Durban was a stopping off point for British troops travelling to and from India and Burma. There is no date, but the letter suggests that David likely wrote it on his way to Burma.

"My Darling Sweetheart,

When you receive this I will be miles away from this place. This is just a stop for a few days. I am enjoying the short spell ashore, and I must say this is a lovely city, however it would take much longer than I have to spare to fully appreciate it all. I've been try[sic] to get one or two things to send home, but unfortunately the shops close at 4 o'clock and I am not in town at that time.

Darling I am feeling fine and fit and only wish I could see you however here's hoping. Hope you are all well at home.

Cheerio just now.

Darling

Ever yours, Davie

Love and kisses to Joan, George & Ronnie"

Whilst in Burma, the troops were apparently encouraged to take lots of salt on food to compensate for heavy sweating. The contributor noted that when his father came home, he had developed a taste for salt and continued to put lots of it on all his food.

The contributor's uncle, John Manson, (mother's brother) sent this Christmas card back to his sister, Mary Nicol, (David's wife) from Burma. It is drawn on official paper. John was also in the Royal Artillery and thought to have been with David. They both lived in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh. Although they were both in Burma for most of the war, neither of them spoke about it when they came home.

On 29 July 1939, the contributor was born. The contributor didn't meet his father until he returned from Burma in 1946. The contributor used to live on India Place in Stockbridge (tenements that are now demolished). The contributor recalled that there was a row of air raid shelters in the back garden; he can remember being taken out of his bed and carried into the air raid shelter. There were benches that all the women and babies sat on. The contributor said that within half an hour of being in the shelter, everyone was singing to keep spirits up. The exposed arches of the air raid shelters can still be seen on India Place.