Memoir tells what it was like growing up in Wick during World War II
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A BOOK written by a former resident of a Wick care home tells what is was like growing up in the town at the time of the Second World War.
David John Bruce: A Memoir catalogues the despair and hopes of that period and brings it to life with vivid recollections.
The account was written by David while he was a resident in the Pulteney House care home but, sadly, he died before it was published.
Dan Mackay, who worked in the care sector for many years and was involved in the project, described David as "a truly lovely man and a natural storyteller" and someone who had "an exceptional memory."
"The publication of the memoir of the late David John Bruce brings to fruition a project to honour a pledge to him.
"David had a keen eye for detail and used his time in residential care productively to write down his memories of growing up in Wick during the war years. It was a dramatic and unprecedented era seen through the eyes of a young boy but written by a man in his eighties reflecting on a bittersweet chapter of British history. His account has wit and pathos in equal measure," said Dan.
David also recalled his time in National Service when he served for 18 months with the Royal Artillery and "met a host of colourful army types, some not to be messed with," stated Dan.
David would later be dogged by episodes of ill health, including the onset of tuberculosis and long periods of enforced convalescence but he was not bitter about his experiences.
At Pulteney House he became a father figure who was concerned about the welfare of his fellow residents. "He had a quiet dignity and presence to him that earned him the full respect of staff and residents alike. He would reminisce with younger school pupils and was keen to honour those who had fallen in war and whose stories and sacrifices needed to be shared with future generations. Even when he was admitted to hospital, the residents at Pulteney kept in touch by videos and shared photo memories. Assurances that the book project was progressing gave him some peace of mind," added Dan.
The book has now been published and is available in local outlets.
