Armadale & District War Memorial Museum

02/11/2026

MedalMonday | Air Crew Europe Star

The Air Crew Europe Star is one of the most sought-after Second World War campaign stars.

Qualification
Awarded primarily to aircrew who completed operational flying over Europe from Britain between 3 September 1939 and 5 June 1944. Personnel had first to qualify for the 1939-45 Star.

Ribbon Colours
The colours symbolise:
• Pale Blue - the sky
• Black - night operations
• Yellow - enemy searchlights

Clasps
Atlantic Clasp Awarded when the Air Crew Europe Star was earned first and Atlantic Star service was completed later.

France and Germany Clasp Awarded when the Air Crew Europe Star was earned first and the recipient later qualified for the France and Germany Star.

These clasps recognised continued operational service in a different theatre while avoiding multiple awards for closely related campaigns.

The ribbon perfectly captures the reality of RAF operations which continued day and night throughout the air war over Europe.

*Please note that the Air Crew Europe Star & Atlantic Clasp photographed are copies, I don’t have an original Air Crew Europe or Clasp in the collection.

01/11/2026

🏛️ Object of the Week: First World War Brass Button Stick

At first glance, this rather oddly shaped piece of brass may not look like much. But for a soldier during the First World War, a button stick was a simple and very useful piece of kit.

Button sticks were used when polishing the brass buttons, badges and fittings on a uniform. The stick could be slipped behind a button, forming a protective barrier between the metal and the cloth.

This allowed the soldier to apply polish without marking or staining the surrounding uniform. The different holes, curves and cut-outs enabled the tool to fit around various pieces of uniform and equipment. Contemporary-pattern examples were carried as part of a soldier’s personal kit. 

Our example is made from brass and still bears the scratches, discolouration and patina accumulated through its life. A patent marking can also be seen stamped into one end.

It is a modest object, but one that reminds us that a soldier’s life was not all trenches, marching and battle. There were also countless everyday routines, including the continual cleaning and care of uniform and equipment.

Sometimes the smallest objects tell the most human stories.

Do you have a button stick or another piece of First World War kit in your family collection?

31/10/2026

HisStory: Private Hugh Traynor, Royal Scots.

At just 19 years of age, Hugh Traynor of Woodend, Armadale, became one of the many young West Lothian men whose lives were claimed during the final months of the Great War. Serving as Private No. 49344 with the 7th Battalion, Royal Scots, Hugh was killed in action on 27 September 1918, only weeks before the Armistice brought an end to four years of conflict. 

Born at Woodend, Linlithgowshire, Hugh enlisted in Edinburgh after being called to the colours in late 1917. Before military service, he was employed as a clerk with the Atlas Steel Foundry and Engineering Company in Armadale, a reminder that many of the town's soldiers came not only from farms and mines, but also from the growing industrial workforce of the district. 

Service records show that Hugh served in a signalling section and did not arrive in France until 30 August 1918. His time on the Western Front was tragically brief, lasting less than a month. 

On the morning of 27 September 1918, the 7th Royal Scots took part in the attack on the Canal du Nord Line. Beginning at 5.30 am, the battalion advanced in support of a major Allied offensive that captured the Marcoing Line east of the Canal de l'Escaut. During this action, Hugh lost his life. 

Hugh was the son of Mr and Mrs Hugh McNeil of Woodend, by Armadale, and also resided with his grandmother, Mrs Ann Traynor, at Woodend. Following his death, the Army returned his personal belongings to his family, including letters, photographs, a pocket book, mirror, religious medallion, razor and cigarette case, poignant reminders of the young man behind the uniform. 

Today, Hugh Traynor rests in Moeuvres Communal Cemetery Extension in France. His grave stands as a lasting reminder of a life cut short and of the sacrifice made by a generation of young men from Armadale and across West Lothian. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service. 

Lest We Forget.

28/10/2026

ON THIS DAY | THE HUMBIE HEINKEL

On this day, 28 October 1939

On 28 October 1939, the aircraft which became known as “the Humbie Heinkel” made history as the first German enemy aircraft to be brought down on British soil during the Second World War.

The Heinkel He 111H-2 was intercepted by RAF Spitfires and brought down near Newton Farm, Humbie, in the Lammermuir Hills, around 15 miles south of Edinburgh. 

The Heinkel carried a crew of four. Two were killed, Uffz Gottlieb Kowalke, aged 23, and Gefr Bruno Reimann, aged 19, while Uffz Kurt Lehmkuhl and Lt Rolf Niehoff survived.

The surviving airmen surrendered to a local policeman and were subsequently taken prisoner, with Capt E. C. H. Forbes, 405 Company, 4th/5th Battalion, The Royal Scots (52nd Searchlight Regiment), becoming involved in their custody.

The attitude of the captured German officer made a particular impression.
It was noted by the Royal Scots that the young N**i officer was extremely confident, even arrogant, about the outcome of the war. He had “no doubt at all in his mind that the war would be over by Christmas” and believed that Britain would soon be defeated and that he would be back in Germany a free man.

History, of course, was to prove very different.

Many years later, Capt Forbes’s son very kindly offered me the original paperwork his father had kept from the incident, including the list of property taken from Lt Rolf Niehoff on 28 October 1939, pictured here.

The document is a fascinating survivor, listing personal possessions including a leather purse containing a five-mark note and German coins, five keys, an identity disc, an envelope containing a letter, a small book and an identity book.

Despite the generosity of the offer, I decided not to accept the original paperwork for the collection.

As much as I would have liked to preserve such an important piece of history, I felt that its strongest connection was with the place where the events of 28 October 1939 actually happened.

I therefore suggested that the paperwork would be more appropriately donated to the Museum of Flight at East Fortune, close to Humbie and the area where the Heinkel came down. I felt that there it would have the opportunity to be seen, appreciated and studied by far more people than I could ever hope to reach with my own small collection.

Sometimes preserving history isn't about owning an object. It's about recognising where that object truly belongs and giving it the best chance to tell its story to future generations.

Capt E. C. H. Forbes later served with the Cameronians (Scottish Ri**es).

The photographs show the crashed Humbie Heinkel and the surviving wartime paperwork recording the property taken from Lt Rolf Niehoff.

A remarkable piece of Scottish wartime history, 87 years ago this month.

26/10/2026

MedalMonday | The Atlantic Star

The Atlantic Star commemorates service in the longest continuous campaign of the war, the Battle of the Atlantic.

Qualification
Awarded for operational service in Atlantic waters between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945 after qualifying for the 1939-45 Star.

Ribbon Colours
The ribbon's shades of blue, white and green symbolise the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Merchant seamen, sailors and airmen who protected vital supply routes helped ensure Britain's survival and eventual victory.

Clasps
Air Crew Europe Clasp Awarded when a recipient earned the Atlantic Star first and subsequently qualified for the Air Crew Europe Star.

France and Germany Clasp Awarded when a recipient earned the Atlantic Star first and later qualified for the France and Germany Star.

Because of overlapping service, recipients could receive only one of the Atlantic Star, Air Crew Europe Star or France and Germany Star, with the second entitlement represented by a clasp.

*Please note that the Atlantic Star photographed is a copy, I don’t have an original Atlantic Star in the collection.

25/10/2026

25/10/2026

🏛️ Object of the Week: On War Service 1914 Badge

🔵 A small badge with an important message

This week’s museum object is an On War Service 1914 badge, a distinctive blue enamel and gilt badge bearing the Crown and the words “ON WAR SERVICE 1914”.

During the First World War, not everyone contributing to the war effort wore a military uniform. According to Imperial War Museums, these small metal badges were worn by civilians engaged in important war work. 

The 1914 badge was issued by the Admiralty to “workmen whose services are indispensable for rapid completion of HM ships and armaments”. 

Before conscription was introduced in 1916, the Army depended upon voluntary recruitment. Men seen out of uniform could face accusations that they were avoiding their duty, and some were even presented with a white feather, intended as a symbol of cowardice. Official war-service badges therefore provided visible evidence that the wearer was already doing important work for the country. 

⚓ A wearer of the 1914 badge might not have been serving at the Front, but the Admiralty considered that person's work essential to the completion of HM ships and armaments. 

Interestingly, these badges were individually numbered on the reverse and there would once have been a register recording their issue. Imperial War Museums notes that this register has not been found, making it difficult to identify an individual wearer from a surviving badge alone. 

Today, an On War Service 1914 badge is a fascinating reminder that the First World War effort extended far beyond the battlefield. Behind a badge only a few centimetres across lies the story of shipbuilding, armaments production and the civilian workforce whose skills were considered indispensable.

📸 Pictured: On War Service 1914 badge from our collection.

Have you seen one of these badges before, or perhaps have one tucked away in a family collection?

Let us know in the comments.

24/10/2026

HisStory: Flying Officer James Purdie "J.P." Slattery RAF

Today we remember Flying Officer James Purdie Slattery, a young airman whose wartime service took him from Scotland to the skies over occupied Europe and ultimately into captivity as a Prisoner of War.

Born at West Calder on 10 May 1920, the family later moved to Armadale. He was educated locally and, before answering the call to serve, was employed as an apprentice engineer at the United Fireclay, Dickson & Mann Works, one of the area's important industrial employers.

Originally serving as an aircraft mechanic, he steadily advanced through the ranks, qualifying as a Flight Engineer and eventually being commissioned as an officer.

In 1944, Slattery was serving with No. 626 Squadron RAF at RAF Wickenby, Lincolnshire. On the night of 12 August 1944, he was the Flight Engineer aboard Avro Lancaster LM599 (UM-A2), piloted by Flying Officer R.S. Bennett, during a bombing mission to Brunswick (Braunschweig), Germany.

Tragically, the Lancaster was intercepted by a German night fighter near Celle. The aircraft was shot down and crashed, resulting in the loss of three crew members:

• Sgt K.W. Molyneux
• Sgt J.K. Slack
• Flight Sergeant J.M. Reid

Four members of the crew survived, including Flight Sergeant J.P. Slattery, who was captured and became a Prisoner of War. He was held at Stalag Luft VII, assigned POW number 629, where he remained until the end of the war.

Following liberation, Slattery returned to Britain and continued his RAF career. His service record shows he was granted a commission in 1944, became a Flying Officer, and remained connected with the Royal Air Force Reserve in the post-war years.

The surviving photograph of Bennett's crew, taken beside their Lancaster in June 1944, shows a group of young men bound together by duty, courage and friendship. Within weeks, their lives would be changed forever by a single mission over Germany.

As we share James Slattery's story today, we also remember the entire crew of Lancaster LM599 and the sacrifices made by Bomber Command airmen during the Second World War.

Lest We Forget.

Image: Bennett crew, No. 626 Squadron RAF, June 1944. James Purdie Slattery is seated at front right.

23/10/2026

Members of our association will be supporting this year’s Poppy Appeal in Asda Armadale, this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday 24th -25th October. Hoping to see you there.
🇬🇧Lest We Forget🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

19/10/2026

MedalMonday | The 1939-45 Star

The 1939-45 Star was the primary campaign star awarded for operational service during the Second World War. It recognised those who served in operational theatres between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945 (or 2 September 1945 in the Far East).

Qualification
Personnel generally qualified through:
• 180 days operational service in the Army
• 180 days operational service as RAF ground crew
• 60 days operational service as aircrew
• 180 days service afloat in operational areas in the Royal Navy

Ribbon Colours
The ribbon represents the three fighting services:
• Dark Blue - Royal Navy
• Red - Army
• Light Blue - Royal Air Force

Clasps
Battle of Britain Clasp Awarded to fighter aircrew who took part in the Battle of Britain between 10 July and 31 October 1940. This is one of the rarest and most prestigious campaign clasps awarded by Britain during the war.

Bomber Command Clasp Instituted in 2012 and awarded to aircrew who served operationally with UK-based Bomber Command units between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945. It acknowledges the heavy losses suffered by Bomber Command crews during the strategic air offensive against Germany.

When only ribbons are worn, entitlement to either clasp is shown by a silver rosette.

The 1939-45 Star serves as a reminder of those who answered the call in the war's earliest and often darkest years.