Images

RMS Queen Elizabeth

RMS Queen Elizabeth

This is the ship mentioned in chapter 9. It was built at John Brown’s shipyard in Clydebank, near Glasgow. Building was started in mid 1930 and the ship was launched in September 1938. It was named after Elizabeth, Queen Consort to King George VI. The ship was originally intended as a luxury ocean liner for passengers travelling from Southampton to New York via Cherbourg, France. However, the proposed maiden voyage due for April 1940 was suspended in August 1939 due to the threat of war. It was intended to move the ship from Clydebank for security reasons. The RMS Queen Elizabeth was commissioned by the Royal Navy as a troop ship. The Cunard colours were repainted battleship grey.

Leith Docks

Leith Docks,

After a meeting with Alan Struthers, James next adventure takes him to Edinburgh and specifically, the port of Leith. Struthers has an unconfirmed intelligence report that sabotage of the Royal Navy’s new ship, RMS Queen Elizabeth, could occur. He arranges for James to join the work force at Leith Docks and keep him informed of any unusual activity or behaviour.

The Empire Exhibition 1938

1938 Empire Exhibition

The country chosen to host the 1938 Empire Exhibition was Scotland and it took place in Bellahoustn Park, Glasgow. The main aim of the exhibition was to help regenerate the local economy which had suffered badly during the 1930s. The exhibition gave employment, albeit temporary, to people within the host city. Cooks, cleaners, car park attendants, first aiders, engineers, tradesmen and administration staff all benefited in a period of high unemployment. The event was held between May and December. It turned out to be one of the wettest summers on record, however 12 million visitors did attend. Once the exhibition had finished, the prominent high tower of 470 feet was dismantled. This being a necessary precaution as it could have been an easy target for the Luftwaffe. Britain was heading towards a war with Germany.

Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow 1938

Glasgow 1938

James eventually leaves Inveraray and returns to Ardrishaig. At the harbour, he catches a steamship to Govan which is located on the south side of Glasgow. He disembarks at the dock and gets on a tram headed for the city centre, where a particular hotel is situated. A room has been reserved for him at the Beresford Hotel in Sauchiehall Street. Once there, he will be contacted by a Government agent.

The Beach, Nice.

nice_france-208913

In chapter 1, this exotic location is where the partially clothed body of a young woman has been found. As she fits the description of someone who mysteriously vanished and was acquainted with James Carsell-Brown, he is taken to police headquarters in Nice and questioned. After his release, James is then subjected to deception, kidnapping and interrogation by other parties.