Repair job on book of wounded heroes

TV SHOW'S VE DAY MISSION

- By Peter Dyke

A SMALL and battered autograph book containing precious messages from wounded soldiers is restored to its former glory in a VE Day 80th anniversary edition of The Repair Shop.

For the TV special airing this week the producers asked viewers to get in touch if they had any treasures from that period which needed refurbishment from their experts in the barn.

And Dorothy Orr, 71, from County Antrim, came forward with a unique autograph book which belonged to her mother.

Margaret Caig qualified as a nurse aged 20 in 1938 but within a year the Second World War had broken out and she was working as a volunteer caring for sick and injured troops at four castles in Scotland that were turned into hospitals.

Among the allies needing treatment along with the Brits were Polish, French and American troops and, while tending their wounds, she used her best bedside manner to get them to write or draw in her book.