West Ross shipwreck witness set for poignant return
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A WESTER Ross man who witnessed firsthand the terrible aftermath of a wartime tragedy will next month retrace the steps he took 68 years ago with his grandson by his side.
The poignant return to the site of the sinking of the SS William H Welch liberty ship will be made by John Murdo Mackenzie and his three-year-old grandson, also John.
John Murdo will be sharing the dramatic tale of the sinking he saw as a 12-year-old boy back on February 26, 1944 as part of a series of commemorative events being held as part of WWII and the Arctic Convoys Week.
Seventy-four Americans died and 12 were saved thanks to the tremendous and gallant efforts of the local crofters who battled across the stark bog land through snow storms carrying flasks of tea and blankets to the site of the shipwreck off Loch Ewe.
The event is being commemorated on May 7 by a guided walk to the wreck site. John Murdo will accompany the walkers to tell the story as he remembers it.
The book he is pictured reading here with his gandson is the dramatic tale of the sinking, by author Steve Chadwick.
With the help of John Murdo and his wife Chrissie, Steve has pieced together the story from the local community memories, official sources and from two of the American survivors of the wreck who are still alive.
Plans to build a museum on the shores of Loch Ewe as a lasting legacy to all who took part in the Convoys of WWII are gaining momentum.
Chairman of the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum Project, Francis Russell, said: “This week of events is part of our fundraising efforts to realise the dream of our local community to keep the story of the Convoys alive for future generations.
“The William H Welch shipwreck really galvanised the community in 1944 and focussed their efforts on that one night of immense tragedy — and the spirit of community is still as strong today.”
Churchill called the Arctic Convoys “the worst journey in the world”. Nineteen of them left from Loch Ewe.
The full programme of events can be found online at russianarcticconvoymuseum.co.uk or by calling 07970 053883.
More on this story in Friday's Ross-shire Journal.
