Elder's wartime records discovered hidden in desk bought at auction 18 years after his death

A folder of Second World War documents that belonged to a Church elder was found hidden in a desk bought at auction 18 years after his death.

Ian Rodger from Glasgow served with 2 Squadron of the 6th Armoured Division Signal Regiment, a unit of the British Army, and fought in Italy and Tunisia.

The folder contained letters, maps and photographs and was found by the desk's new owner just weeks before the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

Mr Rodger held the rank of Captain and features in a photograph with Major Jack (John) Profumo, who later became a member of the House of Commons and was forced to resign after triggering a major political scandal in the 1960s.

After he was demobilised, the elder practiced as a solicitor, co-founded Scottish Opera and devoted himself to the Scouts and Wellington Church in Glasgow.

He died in 2007 at the age of 91 and his desk was put up for sale at McTear's Auctioneers in Glasgow in March 2021.

It was bought by Martin Reid from Lanark in South Lanarkshire for £110 and he used it regularly over the years at his home, only discovering the mysterious folder by sheer chance a few weeks ago.

The construction company director explained: "I had to move the desk to make way for a bed and took out the drawers to make it easier to lift.

"The bottom left drawer was stuck so I reached in behind it to see what the obstruction was and pulled out this green paper file folder which was wedged in at the back.

"Inside were lots of photographs, letters, maps and invitations all relating to the Second World War – leafing through them was really exciting and intriguing.

"To say I was surprised was an understatement because I bought the desk nearly four years earlier and after studying the contents I worked out that they belonged to a man called Ian Rodger, who I presume used to own the desk.

"The papers and photographs are fascinating and provide a really important insight into the British Army's involvement in the Italian Campaign against Adolf Hitler's Germany and the important role they played in defeating fascism and bringing the war to an end."

Fascinating insight

Also known as the Liberation of Italy, it lasted from 1943 to 1945 and included major battles and strategic landings.

The folder contains a very detailed route map of the Advance of 6th Armoured Division in the Italian Campaign and a colour map of Tunisia produced by the British War Office in 1941/42

One of the typewritten letters is dated 26 April, 1945 and signed by Lieutenant-General R.L. McCreery, Commander of the British Eighth Army during the final offensive in Italy.

"It states: "You have played a decisive part in this great Eighth Army offensive.

"You have driven the enemy north of the River Po in disorder.

"You have shown a splendid determination and fighting spirit, and a fine endurance in two-and-a-half weeks of continuous battle."

Another typewritten letter dated 5 May, 1945 and signed by Major General H Murray, commander of the 6th British Armoured Division, states: "The campaign in Italy is over.

"The final battle lasted 24 days and resulted in the capitulation of all German forces in Italy unconditionally.

"It is difficult for me to express in words the admiration I feel for the magnificent job which you have all done to make this victory possible."

Search for relatives

The folder also contains copies of letters Mr Rodger sent to former British Army comrades after they were demobilised and invitations to reunion events over the decades.

In one letter dated December 1947, he reflects on the disillusionment of post-war and the "absence of high purpose".

"How wisely it was said that when the whistle blew on VJ Day (Victory over Japan) it was half time and not full-time," he wrote.

"I expect that you have found much to be happy about coming home after the war to home and family but I think some of you will feel, as a I do, sad that so much conflict and grief should have emerged as a consequence of the war.

"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."

According to his obituary, Mr Rodger was made an MBE for his wartime service and an OBE for services to Scouting – he was a former training commissioner for Scotland.

In addition to being a partner in a Glasgow law firm called Brechin Robb, he also lectured in accountancy law at the University of Glasgow.

Mr Rodger's widow Isabel died in February 2023 and the couple had a son called Sandy and three grandchildren.

Rev Richard Baxter, minister of Kelvin West Parish Church, confirmed the Rodgers were members of what was known as Wellington Church and said their son was thought to live on the south coast of England.

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.

"I can only imagine how this situation came about – the desk was likely part of a house clearance after Mrs Rodger died and the desk was taken to the auction house to be sold and nobody noticed there was a folder stuck behind a drawer.

"If Sandy Rodger or anyone he knows reads this story, I would encourage them to get in touch with the Church offices in Edinburgh and arrangements will be made to return the folder to him."

Explore the photographs, letters and maps