British Honduran Forestry Unit
The British Honduran Forestry Unit (BHFU) was a civilian body of forestry workers who came from British Honduras (present-day Belize) to Scotland in two contingents to help support the war effort during the Second World War.
History
900 workers came, the first 500 arriving in September 1941 and were dispersed to camps in Traprain Law, East Lothian, Duns, Scottish Borders, and Kirkpatrick Fleming, Dumfries and Galloway. The second contingent of 400 arrived in November 1942, and were allocated to Golspie, Sutherland, and Kinlochewe and Achnashellach both in Wester Ross.[1] In 1943 the Unit was disbanded.[2]
Lord Moyne, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, contacted Sir John Adams Hunter, the Governor of British Honduras requesting workers to help cut timber in Scotland’s forests.[2]
In contrast to the forestry units from Australia, Canada, Newfoundland and New Zealand, the BHFU were given poor rations and inadequate clothing and accommodation.[3][4][5]
Members
Five members of the unit based at Kirkpatrick Fleming died there, and four are buried in the graveyard of Kirkpatrick Fleming church, with the fifth buried in. A further three, based at Traprain Law, are buried in Whittingehame H. Moss, (died 26 October 1941, aged 20), I. Mendoza (died 4 December 1942, aged 21), H. Velasquez, died 25 December 1941, aged 35. A. V. Zunica wad buried at a small graveyard close to Kinlochewe, Wester Ross. He died on 19h April 1943 aged 35.
- Simon "Sam" James Peter Martinez (1910–2016), forester, papermill worker and street cleaner.[6]
References
- ↑ Forbes, Angela (2015). The British Empire and the War Effort: A Comparative Study of the Experiences of the British Honduran Forestry Unit and the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit (PDF). Inverness: University of the Highlands and Islands.
- 1 2 Fraser, Paul. "British Honduran Forestry Unit". Forestry and Land Scotland. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- 1 2 "Obituary: Amos Ford, forester". The Telegraph. London. 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 10 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
- 1 2 Reynolds, Nia (14 May 2015). "Ex-serviceman spent years defending 'defamed' black unit". The Voice. London. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
- 1 2 Hennessey, Martin (20 September 1992). "Britain shunned wartime volunteers: Amos Ford says there has been a cover-up over the shabby treatment of British Hondurans who came to help us out, reports Martin Hennessey". The Independent. London. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
- ↑ Shaw, Alison (22 September 2016). "Obituary: Sam Martinez, Forester and oldest Hibs fan". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019.
