A folder of Second World War papers belonging to a Church of Scotland elder have been found hidden in a desk bought at auction, 18 years after his death.
Ian Rodger, from Glasgow, served as a Captain with 2 Squadron of the 6th Armoured Division Signal Regiment, a unit of the British Army that fought in both Italy and Tunisia. The desk containing his wartime memories was bought at auction by Martin Reid from Lanark in South Lanarkshire in March 2021, 18 years after Mr Rodger’s passing at the age of 91.
Weeks before the 80th anniversary of VE Day, construction company director Martin Reid made the discovery while moving the desk at home.
“The bottom left drawer was stuck so I reached in behind it, and pulled out this green paper file folder which was wedged in at the back,” he explained. “Inside were lots of photographs, letters, maps and invitations all relating to the Second World War – leafing through them was really exciting.”
Hidden in the folder were letters detailing the British Army’s efforts against Nazi Germany – along with a photograph of Mr Rodger and Major Jack Profumo, who later became a UK government minister and was involved in the Profumo affair, a major political scandal of the 1960s.
The folder also included maps, and correspondence from senior military figures. One letter, dated 26th April 1945 and signed by Lieutenant-General R.L. McCreery, Commander of the British Eighth Army, praised the soldiers’ “splendid determination and fighting spirit, and a fine endurance in two-and-a-half weeks of continuous battle.”
Another, dated 5th May 1945, from Major General H Murray, marked the end of the Italian campaign: “The final battle lasted 24 days and resulted in the capitulation of all German forces in Italy unconditionally.”
Mr Rodger’s own letters, sent to former comrades after demobilisation, reflect both gratitude and post-war disillusionment. In December 1947, he described the end of the war as “half time and not full-time,” possibly reflecting an ongoing spiritual battle before the second coming.
"Mankind is now possessed of un-dreamed of power and is on the threshold of great discovery but is apparently unready to move forward as a community of nations,” he wrote.
Following his military service, Mr Rodger practised as a solicitor, and co-founded the Scottish Opera. He served as Scout leader and elder of the Church in Glasgow, and was recognised with an MBE for his wartime service and an OBE for his contribution to Scouting.
Mr Rodger’s widow, Isabel, died in February 2023. The couple had a son, Sandy, and three grandchildren. Rev Richard Baxter, minister of Kelvin West Parish Church, confirmed the Rodgers were longstanding members of what was known as Wellington Church.
Mr Reid said: "It is quite an incredible discovery and so pertinent that it happened shortly before the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
"Ian Rodger sounded like he was a fascinating man and his son must be very proud of him, I would love to return the folder to him if possible.”