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

 

 


HISTORY

William Henderson - Medical Doctor

 

Dr. William Henderson MD - Born 25th January 1784 at Kinclaven, William Henderson was physician based in Perth who gained some minor fame as a medical pioneer and inventor of a stomach elixir. William Henderson attended the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh) from 1806 to 1809 and then the University of St. Andrews, where he gained his doctorate in 1810. Thereafter he set up a practice in Perth.

Henderson married a Margaret Morison (of Perthshire) at Perth Middle Church on 31st August 1812. Amongst his achievements is the creation of “Henderson’s Stomachic Vegetable Elixir” - as an alleged cure for chronic indigestion. The success of this elixir, both in Britain and the US allowed Henderson to amass some wealth.

As one of only a handful of doctors in Perth, William Henderson took a key role during the 1832 Cholera (Asiatic) Epidemic in Perth as a member of the Medical Board for Perth; 147 people died during this epidemic.

In 1820, Henderson carried out a successful Caesarean operation - the 24th such procedure in Scotland. The baby girl survived (Caesarean survival rates were low in the early 19th Century) and was named Caesar Anna. The case was written up by William Henderson and published in the Edinburgh Medical Journal - listed below.

During his medical career Henderson wrote on several medical matters. His writing include:

Reported Cases of Small-Pox, Being the First Appearance of a Disease Epidemic After Discovery of a Vaccine. (1819)

A Case of Caesarean Section Where the Child was Saved. (1821)

Plain Rules for Improving the health of the Delicate, Preserving the Health of the Strong and Prolonging the Life of All. (1856)

As well as his medical life, Henderson was active in his church - he was an Elder of the East Parish Church of Perth. As well as living in Rose Crescent, William Henderson owned several other houses in this street. His wife died in 1858 and is buried in Greyfriars Cemetery.

William Henderson died on October 13, 1870 at 17 Rose Crescent. He left some £20,000 - over a million pounds at current levels.