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The Last Lumberjack

During the Second World war, almost 900 forestry workers came to Scotland from Belize. Through the life of Sam Martinez, the last surviving lumberjack, we hear their story.

This is the story of Sam Martinez, who travelled from Belize to help Britain in the war effort. During the Second World War, almost 900 forestry workers came to Scotland from British Honduras, known now as Belize. Until recently, their story was largely forgotten. In 2016, aged 106, Sam Martinez shared his memories just before he died.

'I came to Scotland in 1942 for forestry work known as the lumberjack'. Sam Martinez was the last surviving lumberjack. This is his story and that of the men like him, who travelled 5000 miles from Central America to help Britain in the war effort.

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28 minutes

On radio

Sun 27 Oct 2024 06:00

Broadcasts

  • Sunday 06:30
  • Sun 27 Oct 2024 06:00

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