03 Feb 2020
Crossing the Line: Tales from the 20th Century
In March 2016 I released a Call for Participation asking Royal Navy personnel to share their stories of shipboard entertainment. One naval theatrical tradition I wanted to learn more about was 'Crossing the Line'
21 Jan 2020
Secret Intelligent Service: the spies before James Bond
As long as there have been military campaigns there has been espionage. Here we look at some examples of written intelligence from spies which can be found in the Caird Library and Archive
14 Jan 2020
The 'Operation Chariot' plan
This month we look into Archive and Library item ADL/Q/72, papers relating to the award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant R.T.C. Worsley DSC, RNVR, for bravery while serving as a Gunnery Officer aboard MGB314, in March 1942 participating in Operation Chariot
19 Dec 2019
What did Polar explorers eat for Christmas lunch?
When tucking into your Christmas lunch this year, spare a thought for how polar explorers of the heroic age celebrated Christmas.
18 Dec 2019
How much does a ticket to space cost? The future of 'space tourism'
There are plenty of companies offering (very expensive) flights into space. But how close are we to true space tourism?
12 Dec 2019
British colonial life in the East Indies: the diaries of Lady Dorothy Fullerton
The personal diary of a Royal Navy commander's wife offers a striking insight into the lives of the British ruling classes in 1920s India and Sri Lanka.
22 Nov 2019
The Battle of Navarino and an interesting find
Among the manuscripts held by the Caird Library and Archive is a file containing Lieutenant John Harvey Boteler’s observations of the Battle of Navarino. However his account contains much more information than simple notes on his role.