Back row L to R: Templeton, Blane, evacuee, Andrews, Crombie, Koniec (now Kay,) McCormick, Clowes, Miss Wright (Teacher).     Middle row L to R: Gardner, Thompson, Little, Wilson, unknown, unknown, Cook, Forsyth, evacuee.   Sitting: McCormick, Proudfoot, McCormick, McClure, Templeton, evacuee, Clowes, evacuee.
Herbert Kay who contributed this photo is sixth from left in the back row. The unnamed evacuees were from Glasgow. In anticipation of devastating air raids during WWII these children were evacuated from expected target areas and sent to areas thought safe from attack. The evacuees in this photo arrived  in Kirkmichael on the 4th of September 1939 and were allocated to total strangers. Several children were  allocated to Cloncaird Castle, then occupied by the Dubs family, and the contrast could hardly have been more stark in that the children had never seen such opulence. Indeed some had never seen cows or sheep before and the Dubs family were unaware of the poverty exposed by their new guests. The allocation officer's decision was final. Because of this, many children were bewildered, miserable and homesick and as the expected bombing did not happen many soon returned to their parents in Govan. Some may well have died when the bombing began in 1940.  Click here for a very large image.

The document to the left was sent to citizens who took in children from Glasgow at the beginning of the war from the Queen, now the Queen Mother. This was sent out I think at the end of hostilities and was sent to  Mrs Agnes Muir of Kirkmichael who took me in. Herbert Kay

I WISH TO MARK, BY THIS PERSONAL MESSAGE, my appreciation of the service you have rendered to your Country in 1939- In the early days of the War you opened your door to strangers who were in need of shelter, & offered to share your home with them. I know that to this unselfish task you have sacrificed much of your own comfort, & that it could not have been achieved without the loyal co-operation of all in your household. By your sympathy you have earned the gratitude of those to whom you have shown hospitality & by your readiness to serve you have helped the State in a work of great value. Elizabeth R  (Click on the image to the left to view full size or here to view a larger image.