Interviews of George McColl aged 82

Biographical interview with George McColl (b. 1929, Lochmaben) who talks about growing up and living in Lochmaben. He describes his early life and schooling and recalls taking the control exam to decide whether he would continue his education in Lochmaben, or travel to school in Dumfries or Lockerbie. When he left school, George's father sent him to Dumfries to find work, telling him not to come back until he had found a job. George got a job with a plasterer and this was his working life for 55 years. Latterly, he taught plaster-work in Lochmaben. George could remember the town crier announcing the outbreak of war and remembered the men going off by train. The first real impact the War made on Lochmaben was when 250 Royal Engineers were billeted in town while they built the Halleaths camp. Regiments came from all over and eventually joined up into the First Reconnaissance Corps. The SS took over the British Legion club and men from this unit were among the first to arrive on the beaches on D-Day.

George also talks about community life in Lochmaben and recalls the shops and businesses that used to be in the town: MacGeorge's factory made gloves and socks for the troops and there were 38 shops on the High Street alone. George also speaks about: housing, entertainments; poverty and parish relief and the Lowland Games (which he felt were the best in the south of Scotland). Towards the end of the interview, George talks about the civic roles which he and other family members have fulfilled in the town and which extend over several decades.