Burntisland Fallen 1939-1945
By John Burnett
Published by Burntisland Heritage Trust
£2.50
John Burnett has produced a fine little book in this the 60 th year since the end of the Second World War; sadly this has no happy ending.
Apparently our country has over 37,000 War Memorials. They are our most prominent public monuments and are found in most communities throughout the United Kingdom. But how often do we pass by and not even read the names. If we do stop, we let our minds go and wonder about the people listed: sometimes two or three with the same surname - were they brothers, what are their stories? Well in this book some of those questions are answered. We get an insight into their lives, they suddenly appear not as an anonymous collection of letters on old stone, but as living people; sons, brothers, fathers; stories that bring the individuals to life again. 'They grow not old as those that are left grow old' And now I wonder about the women and about the First World War and the men who deserted or who were executed. Perhaps there is another book there?
This is a worthy addition to the steadily increasing body that Burntisland Heritage Trust sponsors.
Review by Jinti Wight-Boycott
Edited by Iain Sommerville
Published by Burntisland Heritage Trust
ISBN 0-9539353-2-9
£8.95
This is another contribution to the heritage and culture of Burntisland - about local life and by local folk. In the 155 pages of text and photographs, ten locals collect stories from some twenty-four Burntislanders (either by birth or by adoption). The interviewees are featured in the opening pages with a photograph and brief resume of each.
There is a short preface from the editor reminding the reader that this is an "Oral History Project". As such it is 'written' by the memories of those interviewed, which may or may not, be accurate!
The book itself is divided into 7 chapters broadly covering the areas of:
Many of these are subdivided further into the memories of various individuals.
Much of the text is verbatim with the occasional insertion from the editor to aid clarity. This means the stories are told in a variety of styles depending on the teller, and sometimes are a little disjointed, but the charm of the book is that you 'hear' the story in the way it was told - warts and all. The nostalgic amongst the readers may wander back to the days of street parties, such as the one described in Dick Crescent circa 1947 or to the Palais de Danse in Manse Lane which cost ladies 1 shilling, but gents 1 and 6d!
The highs and lows of a colourful past are all described as they are remembered by the people who experienced them. So the crash of the "Flying Scotsman" is described by one who heard and saw it - the Binn village by one who lived there and the glory days of the Shipyard by those who worked in it. Burntisland has stood through peacetime and wartime and both are described in these pages.
The stories themselves are interesting but what makes it for me is the wealth of pictures scattered throughout. From shop-fronts to war pictures, from the swimming pool (and the annual beauty contest) to the 'Ohrmazd' (the last ship to come from the yard) all are shown here and described in detail by those who lived with them. I especially liked the poster collection showing 2-digit telephone numbers for local businesses!
This book will be of interest to anyone who cares about Burntisland's past whether they still live here or live elsewhere. Get it - or regret it.......
Review by Kevin Thompson
