The High School of Dundee is seeking the descendants of Serbian refugees given shelter in the city during the First World War.
Friday January 20 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first contingent of refugees from Serbia in Dundee.
Thousands of Serbians were forced to flee their homeland after it was invaded by Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian forces.
Dundee responded enthusiastically to an appeal but he Serbian Relief Fund to come to the country’s aid and agreed to take in 32 refugees.
The boys, aged between 15 and 18, were housed in Fernbrae on Perth Road, which had been transformed into a hostel by its owner, local magnate George Bonar.
The teenagers were able to complete their education at two Dundee schools before the hostel closed in June 1919.
Fourteen attended the High School of Dundee and 18 went to Harris Academy.
Now, with the centenary of their arrival in Dundee approaching, the High School is trying to track down descendants of Dundee’s Serbs.
Rector Dr John Halliday said: “As we look to commemorate the anniversary, and what was a remarkable episode in the history of Dundee during the First World War, we would be thrilled to hear from any of the relations or descendants of our Serbian boys, or indeed from anyone in Dundee who can shed further light on the subject.
“We have been liaising with the British Embassy in Belgrade and we’ve also had several items published in Serbian newspapers and magazines, and on social media, but so far, to no avail, alas.
“We know what a number of them did immediately after leaving Dundee. However, the trail ran cold before World War 2.
“It would therefore be wonderful to learn what all of the boys, not just the ones who attended the High School, went on to do after their Dundee school days, and we would like to invite any relations and descendants to Dundee for a proper commemoration of this little known, but quite remarkable episode in the history of our city.”
If you have any information that can help, please contact pressoffice@highschoolofdundee.org.uk
