THE sacrifice of foresters from the Commonwealth countries, who travelled thousands of miles to keep Scotland’s timber supplies flowing during World War II, has been recognised in a living memorial in Glasgow.
The Commonwealth Foresters’ Memorial was officially unveiled in a ceremony in the city's Pollok Country Park on Monday. It features a mix of 100 trees, planted in widening circles, similar to the growth rings of a tree and marking the passage of time.
The memorial celebrates the work and heroic sacrifices that all foresters from the Commonwealth made during the war effort.
Planting the last tree in the Memorial grounds, a native Acer tree of Canada, Scotland's environment minister Mairi McAllan said: “In the early 1940s, thousands of foresters from Belize, Australia, Poland, New Zealand and Canada answered the call for assistance and came to work in Scotland’s forests. They replaced many of our own foresters who were abroad fighting in the war.
“It is important that we remember their commitment and selfless service. We owe each and every one of them a debt of gratitude and the Scottish Government would like to thank them and their contribution during World War II.”
During World War II, timber was in great demand for a range of uses including pit props in the coal industry, which in turn produced the fuel for large scale manufacturing in the war.
As many supply routes overseas were being blocked during the war, it was vital that home grown timber supplies were kept open. It was the job of foresters from other Commonwealth countries to keep timber flowing.
Remarkably, 900 foresters from Belize (formerly British Honduras) sailed a perilous 5,000 mile trip across the North Atlantic to Scotland, dodging German U boats along the way. For these men, most had not encountered cold weather before, let alone seen snow.
They were billeted in a number of camps, mainly in East Lothian, the Scottish Borders, Sutherland and in the western Highlands.
The men had a very challenging time at first. They had to endure harsh weather and very basic living conditions. At first, they were also viewed with some suspicion due to being “new” and because of their skin colour.
However, they were hard workers and very friendly. They won over their local communities and settled in, often taking part in local events and dances.
One such man who rallied to the UK’s call for help was Sam Martinez. At the age of 32, Mr Martinez travelled from Belize in 1942 to work in the forests of Scotland.
He worked in the Highlands with others from his homeland until the British Honduran Forestry Unit was disbanded in 1943.
READ MORE: Remembering the lumberjills of World War Two: Women’s Timber Corps founded 80 years ago
Mr Martinez decided to stay in Scotland and had six children with his Scottish partner Mary Gray. He saw the rest of his years living in Edinburgh until the age of 106.
He was a local celebrity where he lived, partly because of the way he bonded so well as a member of the local community. He was a huge Hibs fan and celebrated as the first, and oldest, ever Hibernian supporter from Belize.
His grandson, Yutsil Hoyo Diaz Martinez, lived with Sam for the last five years of his life.
Attending the official opening along with his mother Carol Martinez, he said he was immensely proud of his grandfather Sam.
He said: "I’m so pleased that the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council are recognising this important piece of Scottish History.
“It’s a fantastic story that not that many people are really aware of. It’s so important that we look back and remember all those who served with pride during the war. I know that ‘gramps’ would be really chuffed that his story is being told.”
Visitors to the memorial can walk through the trees and read information panels explaining the history of the then Forestry Commission and how it changed over the years.
The interpretation highlights the work of the Commonwealth foresters and the famous ‘Lumberjills’ who also worked in Scotland’s forests during the war.
The memorial is located in sight from the famous Burrell Collection within the park.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, city convener for neighbourhood services and assets, said: “We are honoured to have this important memorial in the heart of Pollok Country Park."
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