On The Home Front

Men of fighting age from Perthshire’s Gypsy Traveller community had clearly moved to enlist in the armed forces. Meanwhile Gypsy Traveller women undertook a variety of tasks on the land such as forestry work at Abercairnie and turnip and potato gathering in Aberfeldy, as well as munitions work.

Wives of servicemen also saw themselves forced to relocate to areas such as Thimble Row in Perth in order to obtain a fixed abode and, in turn, to qualify for Separation Allowance thus, being forced to give up their traditional lifestyle. Evidence from the Departmental Committee on Tinkers showed that all but two of the families re-settled at Thimble Row were in receipt of Separation Allowance which would confirm that these soldiers were doing their duty.