Renovation Uncovers Historical Items
Since purchasing her flat in Dumfries last August, Kirsty Geddes has been actively renovating her new residence. Collaborating with local joiner Jordan Walters, she has completely gutted the top-floor apartment located on Great King Street, where they uncovered a remarkable collection of 1940s artifacts beneath the floorboards.
Among the discoveries is a fire extinguisher dating back to 1942, newspapers from the week following D-Day, and a tin labeled "whole chicken in jelly," which was fortunately empty.
Historical Artefacts and Their Significance
Kirsty, who works as a marketing and communications manager, aims to utilize these findings to reconstruct the history of the building. Additional items include an empty bottle of Armstrong and Dickie stout, believed to have been produced at the former aerated waterworks site at the nearby Whitesands.
Other objects found comprise rodent repellent, cigarette packets, and stacks of very old newspapers.
A copy of the Daily Mail dated 12 June 1944, just days after D-Day, features headlines such as "battle rages around empty Caen" and "trap closing on Nazis." The Sunday Mail from 1 October 1944 carries the headline: "Allies are poised for Autumn assault on Germany." Meanwhile, editions of the Dumfries and Galloway Standard from 16 December 1944 focus on Christmas advertisements and social events.
Additional discoveries include cigarette packs, playing cards, household cleaners, and an insect repellent known as 'flit powder.'
Design and Typography Fascination
Geddes, who is a designer by profession, expressed fascination with the variety of typography and design styles found among the items.
"It's really exciting to know that there is a lot of history within the building," she said.
"The fire extinguisher was one of the first things that I found within the property and I was quite cautious when I saw it because it looks so far removed from a usual fire extinguisher.
"It's really beautiful to see the iteration of where fire extinguishers came from and where they are now."
Envelopes and Research Plans
The 37-year-old also discovered remnants of two envelopes and hopes to identify their intended recipients.
"I think they were actually destined for the recycling centre but I managed to pull them out before they got there," she explained. "And there's the address of the property on there and there's a name.
"We think it's Mrs Latimer, but we're not 100% sure. There's also a magazine with the name 'Jone' on it, which could potentially be another clue," she added.
Kirsty plans to examine the original, hand-drawn title deeds of the building in hopes of matching the name on the envelopes with a previous owner.
"If anybody has any information on who used to live here or what the building was used for, I'd love to hear from them," she said.
