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Captain Ian Rodger (second row, third left) and Major Jack Profumo (top row standing in front of the door) part of documents found hidden in a desk bought by Martin Reid at auction four years ago. (Image: Church Of Scotland)<\/p>\nThe folder of wartime letters, maps, and photos inside a second-hand desk\u2014revealing the forgotten story of a Glasgow soldier who fought in Italy and Tunisia during the Second World War.Captain Ian Rodger (second row, third left) and Major Jack Profumo (top row standing in front of the door) part of documents found hidden in a desk bought by Martin Reid at auction four years ago. (Image: Church Of Scotland)<\/p>\n
A man has told of his surprise at finding Second World War<\/a> documents from a Scot who fought in the conflict hidden in a desk 18 years after he died.<\/p>\n Martin Reid bought the desk at auction four years ago but only discovered the folder of documents recently when he was moving furniture and discovered them behind a drawer that had been stuck.<\/p>\n It contained photographs, letters and maps relating to the British Army\u2019s<\/a> involvement in the liberation of Italy between 1943 and 1945.<\/p>\n Mr Reid discovered that the papers belonged to the late Ian Rodger, from Glasgow, who served with 2 Squadron of the 6th Armoured Division Signal Regiment, a unit of the British Army<\/a>, and fought in Italy and Tunisia.<\/p>\n It is now hoped Mr Rodger\u2019s son can be traced so the documents can be passed on to him.<\/p>\n Mr Reid, from Lanark in South Lanarkshire,<\/a> said: \u201cI had to move the desk to make way for a bed and took out the drawers to make it easier to lift.<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe bottom left drawer was stuck so I reached in behind to see what the obstruction was and pulled out this green paper file folder which was wedged in at the back.<\/p>\n \u201cInside were lots of photographs, letters, maps and invitations all relating to the Second World War<\/a> \u2013 leafing through them was really exciting and intriguing.<\/p>\n \u201cTo 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 from Glasgow<\/a>, who I presume used to own the desk.<\/p>\n \u201cThe papers and photographs are fascinating and provide a really important insight into the British Army\u2019s <\/a>involvement in the Italian campaign against Adolf Hitler\u2019s Germany and the important role they played to defeat fascism and bring the war to an end.\u201d<\/p>\n Ian Rodger held the rank of Captain during the war and can be seen in a wartime photo which appears to feature Major Jack (John) Profumo, who later became a Secretary of State and whose political career ended after an affair with Christine Keeler came to light in the 1960s.<\/p>\n After being demobilised, Mr Rodger practised as a solicitor in Glasgow, co-founded Scottish Opera and was involved in the Scouts and Wellington Church of Scotland in Glasgow<\/a> where he was an elder.<\/p>\n He died aged 91 in 2007 and in March 2021 his desk was put up for sale at McTear\u2019s Auctioneers in Glasgow.<\/p>\n Mr Reid bought it for \u00a3110 and used it regularly at his home over the years, not knowing the historic papers were hidden inside.<\/p>\n The folder contains a detailed route map of the advance of 6th Armoured Division<\/a> in the Italian campaign and a colour map of Tunisia produced by the British War Office in 1941\/42.<\/p>\n One of the typewritten letters is dated April 26, 1945 and is signed by Lieutenant-General R.L. McCreery, Commander of the British Eighth Army during the final offensive in Italy.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1744442896_526_0_WACOMMUNITYQR2.png\")
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The stash was discovered years after his death<\/p>\n