Gallery: Memories of September days in and around Aberdeen since 1939
Aberdeen in September 1939 was a city gearing up for war in Europe, an unsettling time for Aberdonians to put it lightly. Here's our gallery of archive photos of Septembers in years gone by, including wartime images as well as more light-hearted ones.
ByKirstie Waterston
This may look like a beach seen, but it's actually Robert Gordon's College schoolboys filling sandbags in the harbour area on September 4 just after war was declared. The North of Scotland Orkney and Shetland Steamship Co steamship St Sunniva is in the background. Image: DC Thomson
We’ve enjoyed a glorious sunny start to September this year, but in Aberdeen in 1939, the city was gearing up for war.
Storms clouds were on the horizon over the summer, and on September 1, the first day of autumn, Britain declared war on Germany.
Before boots were even on the ground in Europe, defence preparations were under way on the home front.
Young children evacuated from Dundee found themselves in the unfamiliar setting of the Aberdeenshire countryside.
Gas masks were issued to men, women and children immediately – the P&J said most youngsters found it “exciting”.
Gas mask distribution stations were set up for toddlers at Torry Nursery School, Aberdeen Grammar, and Hilton, Commerce Street, Causewayend and Old Aberdeen schools.
Of course the war went on for another six, long years, and when Hitler’s bombs came to Aberdeen, many Aberdonians were touched by tragedy.
In later years, our September scenes are happier.
Scroll down to see archive photos of the late Queen enjoying the Braemar Gathering, and elsewhere the emergency services making a splash during a raft race at Crathes.
Pictures: September days in and around Aberdeen
1992: Murdoch’s Cake Shop manageress Linda Cowe, left, and Mandy Colegate put the finishing touches on a novelty cake. Image: DC Thomson
1939: Evacuees from Dundee step off the train at Banchory Station, having been evacuated from the city. The Second World War broke out on September 1. Image: DC Thomson
1990: Russ Abbot braces himself for lift-off after joining Ryan Stewart and Christopher Smart, Marlpool School, Bucksburn, on one of the rides at Codona’s Amusement Park. Image: DC Thomson
1989: Messing about on the river – one of the teams negotiate a tricky part of the Dee during a race from Crathes Bridge to Maryculter. Police, fire brigade, ambulance service and mountain rescue teams entered 11 rafts and were each sponsored for a different charity, raising around £1800. Image: DC Thomson
1952: Queen Elizabeth II takes the royal salute at the Braemar Gathering as pipers march past the royal box. Image: DC Thomson
1967: The Facells, Ricky, Sonny, Brian, Alex, were the big name in beat and pop in Aberdeen and played at the Marcliffe in September 1967. Image: DC Thomson</p>
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1978: Guest players hold aloft their tribute to Bobby Clark at the Aberdeen Football Club’s goalkeeper’s testimonial game at Pittodrie, on September 3. Image: DC Thomson
1992: Practicing their circus skills at the Northern College of Education Scottish Circus Skills Convention are stilt walker Nicky Carmie, unicyclist Daniel Wexler, juggler Chris Carline and Donald Grant with the diabolo. Image: DC Thomson
1985: A straight left to the jaw is not the usual way of saying thank you, but William Dow, 7, of Bridge of Don, was saying it on behalf of the Kincorth Amateur Boxing Club, to George Mitchell, managing director of Aberdeen Fabrications. He had just presented the club with a new set of kit and ropes. Image: DC Thomson
1939: Robert Gordon’s College Boys filling sandbags in the harbour area on September 4 just after war was declared, with The North of Scotland Orkney and Shetland Steamship Co steamship St Sunniva in the background. Image: DC Thomson
1939: A chilling photo of gas masks being fitted and distributed to civilians in Aberdeen just days after war broke out. Tea chests full of masks await behind. Image: DC Thomson
1987: Aberdeen Bon-Accord Baths manager Tom McNeill presents Institute of Baths and Recreation Management pool plant operators course certificates to, left to right: Leslie Mackie, first employee to gain a 100% pass, with Alfred Crook, Arlene Thomson, Gillian Cowie, William McGregor, Armand Sangbarani, Johnny Caie and William McNamara. Image: DC Thomson
1962: Two gentlemen enjoying a leisurely stroll along Union Grove on a sunny September day. Image: DC Thomson
1971: The Launch of the schooner Captain Scott at Buckie harbour from the shipyard of Herd and Mackenzie. Image: DC Thomson
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Gallery: Memories of September days in and around Aberdeen since 1939
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