I found a 1940s treasure trove under the floorboards of my new flat

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. I found a 1940s treasure trove under the floorboards of my new flat 14 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Lori Carnochan Scotland Kirsty Geddes bought her flat in 2025 and has been surprised by the number of historical artefacts hidden beneath the floorboards Since Kirsty Geddes bought her flat in Dumfries last August, she has been busy renovating her new home. With the help of her local joiner, Jordan Walters, she has gutted the top floor apartment in Great King Street - and uncovered a 1940s treasure trove under the floorboards. Among their finds is a fire extinguisher dating from 1942, newspapers from the week after D-Day, and a tin of "whole chicken in jelly" - fortunately empty.

Now Kirsty, a marketing and communications manager, hopes to use her discoveries to build a picture of the history of the building. More stories from South Scotland Listen to news from Dumfries and Galloway on Sounds Other artefacts include an empty bottle of Armstrong and Dickie stout, likely produced at the former aerated waterworks site at the nearby Whitesands. Rodent repellent, cigarette packets, and piles of very old newspapers are also among their finds.

The Details

A copy of the Daily Mail dated 12 June 1944 - days after D-Day - reports that "battle rages around empty Caen" and "trap closing on Nazis". From the Sunday Mail,1 October 1944, the headline reads: "Allies are poised for Autumn assault on Germany". Meanwhile, copies of the Dumfries and Galloway Standard from 16 December 1944 focus on Christmas advertisements and social events.

The Sunday Mail and the Daily Mirror both have war-time stories from 1944 The wartime fire extinguisher was manufactured in 1942 and is intact A number of cigarette packs and games cards, household cleaners and an insect repellent, called 'flit powder', have also been found. Geddes, who is a a designer by trade, said the variety of typography and design was fascinating. ''It's really exciting to know that there is a lot of history within the building," she said.

''The fire extinguisher was one of the first things that I found within the property and I was quite cautious when I saw it because it looks so far removed from a usual fire extinguisher. ''It's really beautiful to see the iteration of where fire extinguishers came from and where they are now. " Heritage Service, Dumfries and Galloway Council A period view of Dumfries at Great King Street and Queensberry Square The 37-year-old also found the remnants of two envelopes and would like to establish who they were addressed to.

What Experts Say

''I think they were actually destined for the recycling centre but I managed to pull them out before they got there," she said. "And there's the address of the property on there and there's a name. ''We think it's Mrs Latimer, but we're not 100% sure.

There's also a magazine with the name 'Jone' on it, which could potentially be another clue,'' she said.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.