THE BANKS OF SICILY THE MACCALMANS

[@robbiewood9008]

My old father war there,part of the 51st Highland Division.He went on to fight at Anzio and Monte Cassino.I couldnt even lick his boots.God bless you,dad.

[@1234549084]

Hello Jim thank you for your comments yes a special breed

[@robbiewood9008]

Imagine the youngsters nowadays,Ian.My father was a young shop-clerk....unfortunately he joined the TA in 1937.He was called up in 1939 and was part of the BEF who were sent to France in 1940.As part of a Bren gun company he had to fight against the SS stormtroopers and the massive tiger tanks with what he and his comrades regarded as a suicide mission.He escaped at Dunkirk,but with a massive revenge mission to avenge the comrades who didnt survive prior to Dunkirk.

[@1234549084]

Hello Jim think a lot the youngsters today could stand national service but that would a hell of a shock to them it has made me sad to see the disrespect some young one have for old soldiers. i have a story about a uncle of my wife a ex paratrooper who was on holiday with a another couple in Romania when 3 thugs tried to rob but he flattened the 3 of them .he was over 80 but his training was still there

[@anajinn]

My dad was there too, glider trooper with Border Regiment. As you may know, many gliders landed in the sea.

[@johnokane3833]

Be proud. "The Fghting Fifty first" were known and feared.

[@californiadreamin8423]

I learnt to play the tune Farewell to the Creeks in the early 70’s on my Northumbrian Pipes. I was so pleased but my Dad had a funny look on his face and his eyes were rolling a little !! I asked him why and he explained that every time he came out of the line in Italy…..he was a stretcher bearer at Salerno, the Garigliano, Anzio, the Gothic Line…….there was always “bloody piper” in the next field playing this tune while he was trying to get some sleep !! 🙀😊😊😊

[@1234549084]

smiling thank you for your comments

[@AlexanderCramb]

My mum’s brother was black watch from a little village in fife rest in peace there’s Ronald

[@josephsardena3251]

Hero's everyone of them.

[@hughallan1242]

My good friend murdo was there ! Six years away from Skye, North Africa then Sicily and up thru Italy, RIP murdo.

[@bertmacdonald337]

Rest Easy Murdo. Go `ed , the Jocks!

[@cdunham6486]

A great song. Let’s never forget what these men did.

[@leveller123xyz]

Brought a tear me eye as a olde British Soldier aka Squaddie who knew some of the Italian (WAR) campaign veterans. Spike Miligan as comedians

[@mactcampbell]

Two of my uncles from Newfoundland, Canada, were in Italy in the same Battalion.back. They were in Africa, Italy, and Belgium under British command because Newfoundland was under British rule until 1949.

[@1234549084]

Thank you for comment s my mother had 2 cousin from Canada who died the same in Italy

[@tomgreene2282]

For our tomorrow they gave their today.

[@jameswilson3991]

they sure did respect from linda in scotland

[@johnhutchison2268]

My father was a combat sapper with the 51st Highland Division from when they were reformed in Aberdeen, through El Alemain, Sicily, Normandy and through Europe and on to Bremervorda where he was billeted for 2 years. Second to None. He was the finest man I have ever known. The comradeship of the division and what they went through built of finest Scot’s steel with a heart of pure gold. I miss him every day.

[@1234549084]

Hello John thank you for your great and lovely comment ' yes they were a special breed

[@johnhutchison2268]

@@1234549084 Ah it is you yourself Ian and thank you for replying. I love this song and your version of it. I plan to take a Motor Home down Messena and folow where the 51st went through Sciliy then by ferry via Malta to North Africa and El Alemain to pay homage and respect to those special Jocks who shape our nation to this day. I am not a nationalist but I am a proud Scot. My father often spoke of the bravery of the Middlesex Regiment that manned the

[@1234549084]

@@johnhutchison2268 Hello John thank you for comments again and telling me about your father it will a great trip for you to follow your fathers footsteps were lucky we not had to do what he did for king and country

[@leveller123xyz]

Sappers aka mil Engineerss We are above nationalist Bullshite please find us on facebook at Sapperfest all Sappers welcome.

[@AlexanderCramb]

My mums brother was in the black watch from a little village in fife he gave his life there

[@Shireboyz]

The first time I’ve heard this song. My mother is Sicilian now living in Australia aged 90. She once told me that as a young teenager she remembered American soldiers walking the streets of Giarre on the east coast of Sicily and it was a happy day because the war was over. I imagine there were Irish soldiers among them but as a young Sicilian girl mum probably didn’t know the difference! But she knew they were good people and she was thankful. Mum now has dementia and is in a nursing home in Sydney. The nursing home manager is an Irish lady named Joanne and as mum is in her last days I said to her Sicilians and Irish have a lot in common they are a tough resilient people. I now know there is a third thing. There live of traditional folk music. Thank you to the Irish soldiers who made my mother feel safe and happy.

[@1234549084]

Thank you Robert for telling your story

[@BrianWMay]

These guys are Scottish, not Irish, but thanks for your post.

[@rab1688]

Bless em all.

[@macskrade]

Love this tune

[@rouseg54]

To think, but for the very rare exception they're all gone!

[@BrianWMay]

My dad was there, but fortunately didn't wear the skirt, he was RAF and what is now known as a Forward Air Controller with 250 Sqn Kittyhawk fighter-bombers.

[@Hanshi64]

My Grandfather fought 1939-45 and did Dieppe 42 all of Sicily 43 campaign most of Italy then onto D-day 44 and Lowlands then Germany 45 tough SOB for sure. Different breed of men back then.

[@1234549084]

Hello TimA340 thank you for telling me your Grandfathers story yes special men that went through lot and seen a lot too ,

[@bobk18]

My sure your grandfather never thought so but that’s impressive. Not sure that’s the right word for it but wow.

[@kendoclem]

Thank you for the upload Ian. Found this by reading about Hamish Henderson. My grandfather LCpl Peter Gunn first soldier on the left behind the one with the Glengarry at 29/30secs unbelievable!!! Tragically Peter was taken from us at the Battle of Gerbini 21.07.1943 a few days after the footage was taken. Forever in our hearts x.

[@1234549084]

Good morning Kenny thank you for telling this and your lovely comment ,it must have a surprise to see your grandfather in the video I am happy you liked it

[@kendoclem]

@@1234549084 we knew of the Pathe film and have a still photograph but I couldn't find a link to the actual footage. Would you have the link?

[@1234549084]

@@kendoclem Sorry Kenny I don't have the link but I can have a look for it

[@kendoclem]

@@1234549084 found it Ian! Thanks again for your upload. www.britishpathe.com/video/sicily-nearing-the-end/query/sicily

[@seanhartnett79]

Aye this is a great song!

[@iananderson5202]

My Uncle Jack Anderson fought at Anzio and Monte Ornito with 9 Commando and rests on that mountain to this day, lest we forget those DDay dodgers

[@bobk18]

My dad and two of his brothers were all D-Dodgers. Uncles were in the Ontario tanks, Dad was in the Calgary tanks. All came home.

[@JI7NKJ]

Fantastic footage, My Grandfather was stationed in Malta, both these beautiful Islands saw the worst of the 2nd WW.

[@nbenefiel]

My dad was with the Navy in the South Pacific.

[@AndrosProtos]

Sometimes I look to see if I can see my great grandfather in these videos. He was there.

[@tomgreene6579]

Great song and camera images.

[@1234549084]

Happy Christmas Tom thank you for your comments

[@tomgreene6579]

Happy Christmas to you Ian...first heard the song in folk sessions Dublin mid 1960s

[@charlesbeaton4627]

Aye. It's a lovely song. Charlie, Aberdeen

[@1234549084]

Hello Charles thank you for your nice comment

[@ShawnVanEck]

I first heard this song in London in 1962, sung by Alex Campbell. . .later we sang on the streets of Paris together with Colin Wilkie and Shirley Hart. Alex sang "poor bloody bastards are weary. . ." in the chorus. I thought it was written that way. . .? Tom Everett Brashares

[@1234549084]

Good morning Shawn thank you for your interesting comment , and have just checked the original lyrics and you are right , its the puir bliddy bastards are weary Ian

[@henrithehero]

That's how Nigel Denver sang it as well.

[@lawriemorritt3492]

Fantastic compilation of film and the strong voices of the McCalmans. Will the human race ever learn some sense???

[@LornaKellyZim]

This made me feel very emotional...wonderful clip.

[@stephankhinoy5360]

The clips made it real. They had fought their way across Africa, landed at Anzio, and this was a moment of peace and rest and welcome for them--but they were eager to go home. So they were home for a while--then came Normandy.

[@1234549084]

Good morning Stephan thank you for your great comments

[@peterrhodes7623]

Ian, reverse the bit between 1:57 and 2:01 before their CO sees them and puts them on a charge for wearing their berets French style.

[@1234549084]

smiling

[@richH1625]

a translation : Andrew Calhoun The piper is brooding, the piper is fey, He will not come round for his vino today. The sky o'er Messina is foreign and grey And all the bright chambers are eerie. Then farewell ye banks o' Sicily Fare ye well ye valley and shade There's no Jock will mourn the hills o' ye Poor bloody bastards are weary. And farewell ye banks o' Sicily Fare ye well ye valley and shade. There's no home can cure the ills o' ye Poor bloody bastards are weary. Then down the stair and line the waterside Wait your turn, the ferry's away Down the stair and line the waterside All the bright chambers are eerie The drummer is polished, the drummer is tall He cannot be seen for his webbing at all He's buffed himself up for a photo and all For to leave it with his Lola, his dearie. And fare well ye dives o' Sicily Fare ye well ye cottage and hall We''ll all mind canteens and shanties Where Jock made a date with his dearie. Then fare well ye dives o' Sicily Fare ye well ye cottage and hall We'll all mind ye stables and shanties Where kind signorinas were cheerie. Then tune the pipes and drub the tenor drum Leave your kit this side o' the wall Then tune the pipes and drub the tenor drum- All the bright chambers are eerie. mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=44800#3227203

[@1234549084]

Hello Rich H thank you for typing all the lyric's of the song thank you again Ian

[@stephenmuirhead2615]

A better translation would be "valley and copse" since shaw is old English for wood or forest and the surname Shaw was someone who lived by the woods .

[@alanmaccalman173]

hi

[@1234549084]

Hello Allan

[@marciaweare1554]

I told you the British were in WW2. Sod 'Hollywood'..

[@almacmathain6195]

The failure to recognise the British, Commonwealth, Polish, Free French contribution to defeating the German and Italian Fascists and Japanese seems to have etc. developed over the past 40 years. I recall my father saying he had gone to see the US film ‘Anzio’ and said he enjoyed the scene with Scots Guards marching behind the pipes and drums to embark for Anzio. He was in 1st Batt, Scots Guards and was invalided out of the Army after being wounded at Anzio.

[@BrianWMay]

The spelling is McCalmans.

[@nbenefiel]

They were kids. Some of them lied about their ages to join.

[@gaudd]

Christ, some of those guys look like kids.

[@1234549084]

Hello Gauld thank your for your comment ,yes they were still in their teens

[@gaudd]

My grandfather was in the Black Watch, he would have been about 25 at the time of the Sicily landings, he'd been at Dunkirk and North Africa. But he looks like Ancient Pistol compared to those poor kids.

[@1234549084]

Yes Gauld and they had a hard time of it , my mother had two Canadian cousin's ,brothers killed in the same tank at Casino

[@stephankhinoy5360]

They *were* kids

[@roanhielkema5714]

They were, my great uncle went to sea at 15, the next year he was in the thick of it. Dodging German torpedoes around the North Cape, convoys by way of Iceland on the North Atlantic run, the lot. He was in the water twice, was among the lucky ones who survived. He was just one of the many millions like him and luckily he's still with us.

[@Sigma-n5m8d]

Let’s not forget the Canucks. If there was a dirty job that the yanks couldn’t do, the Canucks got it. The Scots were tough buggers but the Canadians were tougher.

[@1234549084]

Hello Allen thank you for comments but the Canadians may be all got Scots blood in them (smiling)

[@malachy1847]

Think there were brave young men that grouped into what was known as Viscount Astor's ... 'D-Day Dodgers ...Great respect to all ....

[@birchplywood8464]

@@1234549084 Hahaha, your comment buckled me.

[@alistairthompson8311]

@@1234549084 A few of the Canadians were in fact Scots who had emigrated to Canada (one of my great uncles among them - he visited home in rural Aberdeenshire for the first time in many years when he was on leave and stationed in Britain. I suspect a few of the Canadians were immigrants or emigrants depending on your point of view. They were all fighting on the same side anyway.

[@1234549084]

Good morning Alistair thank you for this and your comments , my grand mother who had a sister in Canada lost 2 sons in the same tank at Anzio I think they said she went white overnight

[@tomgreene1843]

For our tomorrow they gave their today...