

BATTLEGROUND PERTHSHIRE is a concise account of the battles and minor military events that have taken place within the county of Perthshire. Comprising two thousand years of battles, raids, rebellions, sieges, riots, feuds, ambushes and skirmishes, Battleground Perthshire shines the spotlight on the military history of Scotland’s big county. Drawn from extensive primary and secondary sources: archives, eyewitness accounts and official records, it tells the fascinating stories of struggles for wealth, power, freedom and the right to self-determination. This chronicle of Perthshire’s military history stands as an important reminder of some of the events that have marked the development of the Scottish people. It will appeal both to the reader interested in the history of Scotland and to those interested in military history.
Battleground Perthshire can be bought from most bookshops in the Perthshire area: The Watermill at Aberfeldy; Sweet Words at Dunkeld; Waterstones - various stores including Perth; WHSmith - Perth and Pitlochry. And, in Perth Museum, the AK Bell Library, Gloagburn Farm Shop, the Brig Farm Shop by Bridge of Earn. Alternatively, it may be purchased for £7.00 with FREE postage and packing to any UK address {Please email for postage costs for locations outside UK}. Send cheque or postal order (payable to Tippermuir Books) to Tippermuir Books, c/o 3 Graham's Place, King Street, Perth, Perth, PH2 8HZ. It can also be bought through most of the UK online (internet) booksellers.

Spanish Thermopylae: Cypriot Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39 SPANISH THERMOPYLÆ is the story of the fifty-seven Cypriots who served in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39. It is also the story of a war that defined the lives of a generation and whose outcome decided the fate of hundreds of millions of people across the world. Drawing on recently released records from the Comintern Archive in Moscow, Spanish Thermopylae will appeal both to the reader interested in the experiences of the Cypriot volunteers, and to anyone looking for a concise history of the Spanish Civil War. 'This is the first book devoted solely to the contribution made by Cypriots to the cause of democracy and progress in the Spanish Civil War. It bears witness to the injustice committed against humanity by fascism in Spain and the inspirational sacrifices made by a small band of Cypriot volunteers. Spanish Thermopylae is a fitting tribute to them, and the International Brigades.' Demetris Christofias, President of the Republic of Cyprus 'True to the best traditions of their Greek forefathers, the heroes of the Greek War of Independence, the Cypriots rallied to the support of Spanish democracy and independence, realising that a defeat for the Spanish people would have meant world war. On the Spanish battlefields was being decided the fate of Europe and with it that of Cyprus. They recognised fascism as the greatest enemy of humanity and volunteered to help crush it... Many Cypriots lie buried in the Spanish soil fighting fascism. Cyprus is proud of her heroic sons who fell in the anti-fascist cause, but the fight is not over. We fight on until fascism is destroyed from the face of the earth.' Ezekias Papaioannou, Cypriot International Brigades volunteer and General Secretary of AKEL (1949-88) "Before many years have passed, their own countries will feel equally proud of the volunteers. That will be their best and highest reward." Juan Negrín, Prime Minister of the Spanish Republic (1937-39). It is available from www.amazon.co.uk
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HISTORY
Lieutenant-General Robert Stuart
Lieutenant-General Robert Stuart of Annat and Rait Born at Powblack Farm (Doune) in 1744 the son of a farmer, Robert Stuart joined the Bengal Army of the East India Company as a cadet in 1764. By the time he retired from that force in 1803 he reached the rank of Lieutenant-General. Subsequently he served at that level in the British Army of India.
He was awarded the title Behadur (the Brave) by the Moghul Emperor Shah Alam. Robert Stuart died in 1834 and is buried in Kilspindie Churchyard (Carse of Gowrie). On the family tomb in that churchyard is a plaque written in Persian (the court language of the Moghul Empire): "The Support of the State, Helper of the Kingdom General Robert Stuart, Behadur War a Veritable Sword of Mohammed A Faithful Servant of Shah Alam Ghazi 1212 AH (1834 AD)"
In the 1780s the East India Company army consisted of 70,000 sepoys and 15,000 British troops; in Bengal half of the officer cadre were Scottish. By 1791, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Stuart commanded the 6th Native Infantry Brigade on the Western frontier of Oudh, Northwest of Delhi, with orders to resist Sikh excursions. On January 3rd whilst out riding near Anupshar, Stuart was captured by Sikh outriders, armed with spear, matchlock and scimitar. The 29th battalion under Captain John Breadley pursued in vain as the entire Sikh Army withdrew into their territory. Stuart was now the prisoner of Banga Sing who demanded a ransom for his prisoner. However, Sing allowed Stuart to correspond with the British Authorities and their allies; 41 of these letters are held in Perth Archives. The letters are pasted into a hardback book and are arranged in chronological order. They chronicle his ten months of captivity and attempts to persuade the British Government to organise an armed rescue attempt instead of negotiating. Many include details of his incarceration and plans to storm his prison. Many of the letters are to a third party, the Begum Sumroo, the ruling princess of the state of Sardhana (between Sikh territory and British controlled India). Begum Sumroo was acting as an intermediary in negotiations and supported Stuart by providing foods and clothing. One issue raised by Stuart in the letters is that of food tampering which he believed was taking place. The letters end on 22 September 1791 and it seems that Stuart was released on 24 October 1791 in exchange for a ransom of 15,000 Rupees - paid for by the East India Company.
After returning to Scotland, Stuart settled own with the huge fortune he had accumulated during his colonial service. He also brought back buffalo and Arabian horses. His retirement was spent at Annat Lodge on Kinnoull Hill - plans to build a castle at Rait never came to fruition.
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