The Their Past Your Future programme (TPYF) at the Imperial War Museum
(2004-2010) has now closed. This website is an archive of the project’s
website serving as a record of activities throughout its lifetime, and
will not be updated beyond January 2010. If you have any questions
regarding the TPYF programme please contact the Imperial War Museum
through info@iwm.org.uk quoting
"Their Past You Future" in the subject heading.
To access the new TPYF/IWM website for teachers, featuring a range of
exciting teaching ideas, resources and source material to explore the
impact of conflict from the First World War to today, please go to
www.theirpast-yourfuture.org.uk.
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Click on the images to enlarge.
Kenneth Muir never got the chance to write again. He had survived the D-Day landings at Normandy and the beach-head battles, assault and capture of Caen in France. But four days after promising his mother he would soon write again, Kenneth was killed. On 24 March 1945, the vehicle he was driving hit a mine as his regiment advanced into Germany.
His mother in Aberdeen was determined to keep Kenneth’s memory alive. She kept all his things including his letters, diaries, and horse blanket. Years later, her granddaughter donated this collection to the National War Museum of Scotland to make sure that Kenneth’s story would never be forgotten.
This story was generously contributed by the National War Museum of Scotland through our partners:
- Scottish Museums Council
- Scottish Teaching and Learning
- Scottish Libraries Council
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Kenneth joined the Scottish Horse regiment. In 1940, the regiment swapped their horses for vehicles and became the 79th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery. Kenneth’s squadron is second from the left in this postcard he sent to his grandparents. |
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Kenneth was only 25 years old when he died. Details about Kenneth and any other servicemen who died can be found easily on the Debt of Honour Register on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. The majority of the men commemorated by the CWGC did not live to see their 26th birthday. |
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Kenneth kept this diary while his unit trained for four years in the UK before landing in Normandy. |
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When a serviceman died, his commanding officer would write a personal letter to the family.
Captain Cox wrote this letter to Kenneth’s mother.
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Kenneth was buried in Reichswald Forest Commonwealth War Graves Cemetary. This is the largest Commonwealth cemetery in Germany with 7,579 graves. |
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Download the Personal Story in full as a PDF document
