Luckily for us Brits, we had a special weapon designed to protect our nation and patrol the skies. The Spitfire. This nifty little blighter was only a few years old at the outbreak of the war and could easily run rings around the Luftwaffe’s slower ME109’s. With its long wings and eight machine guns the Spitfire was perfectly placed to tear the Luftwaffe from the skies. And Britain’s Royal Air Force were keen to take advantage of its superior capability, protecting their homeland, their families and their dignity.

But you didn’t have to be a pilot, or soldier or navy officer to protect our interests as these chaps here can vouch for. They form part of West Lothian’s Home Guard, a special army of volunteers to protect and serve their country, their families and their dignity. Trained to recognise spies and put out fires these men were just like you and me, well probably more you. Peter here is a butcher and he’s just ready to gut the enemy, David has great eyesight and Callum here used to be a professional cad.

And ladies played their part too. The Women’s Land Army in west Lothian took over the jobs of their husbands and sons when they were fighting the Nazi’s. Ella and Jessie here are not only accomplished tea makers but they also work in the munitions factory ensuring that our boys over sea’s don’t run out of bombs to drop on the enemy.

Oh no, it seems that Gladys, Polly and Maggie have stumbled across the Addiewell Home Guard’s mock battle. They’re on their way home from picking up their messages in Stoneyburn but even the politest members of society must bow to the needs of the Home Guard. Here, the Sergeant informs them that they must take another route home as the Five Arches Railway Bridge has been blown up. A mile down the road, the ladies attempt to cross the viaduct and ask if it’s alright to cross this bridge. Sonny Morris informs them he can’t tell them, he’s been dead since Monday.

But it wasn’t all silly japes as Walter Bryce, local grocer can tell you. It’s now 1942 and rationing is in full force. These ladies have been queuing for the last hour and a half as word has spread that Walter Bryce has just received a delivery of fresh tomatoes, but he’s under strict orders that he can’t trade them till 2pm. People really love their tomatoes in West Lothian and things are getting fraught. I can see Walter Bryce is beginning to lose his temper. He’s a brave man, I certainly wouldn’t want to cross Maggie, she really wants those tomatoes, but what’s this? He might want to watch his language or he could end up spending a few nights at His Majesties Pleasure.

Of course, tomatoes are the last thing little Jimmy is thinking about today. He is one of the thousands of little boys and girls in Glasgow and Edinburgh who’ll be visiting West Lothian this year, but sadly, he’s not off to stay with his aunty. In fact, at this precise moment, he doesn’t know where he’ll be staying or with whom. He and his two elder sisters are being evacuated from the city to the countryside where their parents hope that they will be out of harms way should the Luftwaffe manage to infiltrate the skies and strike their homes. His father, like any other is not looking forward to being separated from his children, but he and his wife know that just because it hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean it wont. And he’s thankful his girls are old enough to understand the situation and he hopes that they can stay strong. It’s time to be off now and like all children, they’ll need their nametags so that they don’t get lost. They’ll be going on the bus alone. It’s a hard emotional walk to the pick up point for mum and dad.

But those little ones needn’t be too worried like these girls arriving in Bathgate from Edinburgh. They will be greeted by some of the most generous and caring working class people in Britain. The Macdonalds here are a fun friendly family who enjoy Swedish fashion and smiling at children. Of course, they can smile safe in the knowledge that these little ones have been checked for nits and head lice before being brought to meet their billet family.

But the Scots are known for their hospitality and they’re not going to let a little thing like war hold them back.