This resource is designed to support the teaching of English within the context of Curriculum for Excellence for S3 – S6 pupils. It provides a variety of pupil activities that teachers can use or adapt. It aims to:
- introduce a selection of original early 20th century letters written by a Scottish pilot during the First World War
- encourage pupils to read and understand extracts taken from this young man’s personal experiences
- develop pupils’ close reading, talking, listening and writing skills
- focus on the analysis of text and the skills of the writer in his use of style, language and tone in portraying events, facts and feelings
- develop pupils’ confidence in putting their own thoughts into words and presenting them in different forms and styles for different audiences.
The resource contains:
- details of the life of John Douglas Hume, 1915-16
- 15 original sources set out in 3 units
- online and printable activities
Learning outcomes
This resource aims to allow students to:
- develop an understanding of prose and the nature of historical
evidence
- develop analytical and evaluation skills in addressing these
- develop their communication and writing skills
- gain confidence in expressing their own ideas and opinions
If you wish to find out more about NAS resources covering early 20th century Scottish history, visit the publications section of the SAfS website for details of Pack 4, Scotland 1901-1938, and the CD-ROM that accompanies our Scottish Archives for Schools series.
1. Where was John Douglas Hume born?
Buckhaven in Fife
2. List 4 different places where Douglas received his training as a naval pilot.
- Bowness-on-Windermere
- Royal Naval Air Station, Hendon
- H M Dockyard, Portsmouth
- Calshot Royal Naval Air Station, Fawley, Hampshire
3. Which countries did he visit during his service career?
4. How old was Douglas when he died?
20 years old
5. Where and how did he die?
Douglas was accidently shot down by friendly fire from a Swedish steamer near the Tongue Lightship over the Thames Estuary.
‘This is the first real flying day we have had.’ (paragraph 3)
Three possible answers:
| Paragraph 1, line 3 |
‘my joy ride’ |
| Paragraph 1, lines 7-8 |
‘I didn’t notice the lift at all and forgot to look over the side till we were about 600ft high.’ |
| Paragraph 2, lines 2-3 |
‘It was a very fine sensation and I just itched to have a hand on the steering wheel.’ |
Quotes that convey Douglas’s mood and state of mind at this time include:
| Paragraph 1, line 1 |
‘… was feeling too seedy’ |
| Paragraph 2, line 1 |
‘ This is a weird business this Jaundice.’ |
| Paragraph 1, lines 2-3 |
‘ I’m the colour of scrambled eggs all over’ |
| Paragraph 2, line 2 |
‘One feels a bit weak’ |
| Paragraph 3, lines 2-3 |
‘So Mesopotamia has got a good supply of me.’ |
| Paragraph 3, line 3 |
‘ It can’t be said either that I’ve wasted my substance in riotous living…’ |
|
