Jimmy Hislop

My great uncle Jimmy Hislop was in the British Army during the Second World War from 1939 until 1945, without being allowed to go home. His job was to drive lorries filled with ammunition, food and water to the troops who were engaged in fighting. He travelled to Tobruk in North Africa,Tripoli in Libya, Sicily in Italy, France and Germany.

He worked for the Royal Army Service Corps.

He is still living at the age 89 and lives in Kilmarnock.

Mary McGowne

My great Aunt Mary McGowne was the first female to become a railway signal box woman in Ayrshire. She pulled leavers to move trains on to different tracks to save trains crashing. This was a very responsible job. She was trained to do this job because all men were away fighting in the war.

Unfortunately she died at the age of 82.