Exploring more island history. Needless to say the 1950’s were tough in Glasgow, a time where gangland warfare had broken out, especially in the south of the city. For three boys, a change in lifestyle was on the cards.
Caught for some misdemeanour, the three boys were asked to hand over their “bayonets”. That’s what they called razors in the Gorbals, then the toughest area of Glasgow.
Mr Sam Ritchie , Glasgow’s lively youth organiser took the boys under his wing and so he looked out for “Cheese”, “Lindy” and “Sparrow” and the justices served out the punishment.
That was 7 years previous and the boys were put on remand with some vigorous farm work, by sending them to the Isle of Tiree. By 1955, Mr Ritchie received a nice letter from the boys, who in the space of 7 years had appreciated their sudden change in lifestyle. The letter said,
“Dear Mr Ritchie. To thank you for our happiness. We’re going hunting hares for pelts for a special fur coat for Mrs Ritchie. Love, Cheese, Lindy and Sparrow”
Wonder if Mrs Ritchie ever got her coat?! Illustrated by AI.
[Source Daily Herald 22 March 1955]
