Elder’s wartime records discovered

A folder of Second World War documents that belonged to a Church elder was found hidden in a desk bought at auction, 18 years after his death.

Ian Rodger from Glasgow served with 2 Squadron of the 6th Armoured Division Signal Regiment, and fought in Italy and Tunisia. The folder contained letters, maps and photographs and was found by the desk’s new owner just weeks before the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

After he was demobilised, the elder practised as a solicitor, cofounded Scottish Opera and devoted himself to the Scouts and Wellington Church in Glasgow.

He died in 2007 at the age of 91 and his desk was put up for sale at McTear’s Auctioneers in Glasgow in March 2021.

It was bought by Martin Reid from Lanark in South Lanarkshire and he used it regularly over the years at his home, only discovering the folder by chance earlier this year.

The construction company director said: “I had to move the desk to make way for a bed and took out the drawers to make it easier to lift.

“The bottom left drawer was stuck so I reached in behind it to see what the obstruction was and pulled out this green paper file folder which was wedged in at the back.

“Inside were lots of photographs, letters, maps and invitations all relating to the Second World War – leafing through them was really exciting and intriguing.

“The papers and photographs are fascinating and provide a really important insight into the British Army’s involvement in the Italian Campaign against Adolf Hitler’s Germany and the important role they played in defeating fascism and bringing the war to an end.” According to his obituary, Mr Rodger was made an MBE for his wartime service and an OBE for services to Scouting – he was a former training commissioner for Scotland. His widow Isabel died in February 2023 and the couple had a son called Sandy, believed to now live on the south coast, and three grandchildren.

Mr Reid said: “It is quite an incredible discovery and so pertinent that it happened shortly before the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

“Ian Rodger sounded like he was a fascinating man and his son must be very proud of him, I would love to return the folder to him if possible. If Sandy Rodger or anyone he knows reads this story, I would encourage them to get in touch with the Church of Scotland offices in Edinburgh.”