Yvonne McEwen gives public lecture in New York

On 10 April 2012, Yvonne McEwen, Honorary Fellow, The Centre for the Study of The Two World Wars, gave a public lecture at The New York Public Library, Manhattan, on the relationship between Scotland and the United States of America during World War 1. The lecture primarily focused on Scottish men who emigrated to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries then returned to Scotland to enlist in Scottish regiments at the outbreak of WW1. The lecture also discussed the US born sons of Scottish immigrant parents who travelled to Scotland to enlist, as well as Americans with no known Scottish connection but who wanted to join Scottish regiments.

The relationship between the Scots and First Nations was also examined. The Scots have a long-standing relationship with First Nations and this was evidenced in their support of Scottish veterans in the post-war period. A great deal of money was raised by First Nations to assist with building homes for disabled Scottish Veterans.

The Scottish immigrant and US contribution to Scotland's experience is part of a growing body of knowledge being gathered for the 2014 centenary of the outbreak of World War 1,and from the "Scotland's War" Public Engagement project.