The title of The Tartan Pimpernel hearkens back to the The Scarlet Pimpernel, the imaginary but legendary rescuer of those unfairly appointed to death during the French Revolution. In this case, however, the rescuer was a very real Scottish pastor in France during World War II.
On the brink of the German invasion of Paris, Donald Caskie, pastor of the Scots Kirk there, led his people in considering Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” and Matthew 24: 6-8: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” He commended them to God and told them good-bye: though he thought perhaps a minister might have met with some respect of enemy soldiers, he had publicly denounced Hitler more than once and knew his record might put him in danger. He decided to go back to Scotland to render service there and “take stock of [his] future.”
He joined the multitude of other refugees fleeing the city on foot, rejoicing whenever he could find a pile of straw to sleep on, a cow to sleep next to for warmth, or a grapevine from which to eat along the way. Days later, nearing exhaustion, receiving timely aid from a couple of good Samaritans, he finally reached the British Consulate only to decide he must stay in France. There was a ship available, but he felt the wounded men needed the space more than he, while his help was needed in his besieged adopted country.
Praying for guidance, he was led in a marvelous way to the abandoned British Seamen’s Mission in Marseilles and told he could aid seamen and civilians, but not soldiers, and to expect surveillance and raids to make sure he was keeping within those parameters. Caskie had a clear conscience about “going underground.” Though being closely watched, somehow he was able to hide and aid soldiers, becoming a major link in their escape route back to England. Food, clothing, false identification, guides, everything needed was marvelously provided time and again. The elaborate details needed to secretly get these men out of the country are amazing, especially in that time without the ease of communication we have these days with cell phones, GPS devices, etc. It is estimated some 2,000 sailors, soldiers, and airmen were aided by him in their escape back to England.
Donald was arrested and eventually sentenced to death, but a German pastor intervened for him. Though nearly starving and in solitary confinement for much of his imprisonment, he felt the interruption in his work, the worry his situation caused his mother, and the inability to minister help to those in prison were his crosses to bear. He remained a prisoner until liberation, when he again began to minister, reopening Scots Kirk, becoming a visiting minister to those in camps, prisons, and elsewhere, and aiding the British with his experience and knowledge of the area and the happenings during the war.
He was urged to write of his war-time experiences and finally did in the mid 1950s, using the book as a fund-raiser to rebuild the church, which had been damaged and decayed. (An interesting side note is that Eric Liddell preached in this church instead of running on Sunday during the Olympics, though a different church than this is actually shown in the film Chariots of Fire.)
Though words like “brave” and “inspiring” describe Caskie in the blurbs on the outside of this republished edition, he wrote the book in an unassuming, matter-of-fact way laced with quiet humor. Some sections are quiet suspenseful, as when a traitor is suspected in the ranks.
This book spoke to me on many levels, a couple of which I elaborated on in an earlier post, especially the quiet heroism and bravery of men and women who weren’t trying to be heroes, but had to stand up and do the right thing, as well as those behind the scenes who aided them.
Though the Lord’s hand is evident throughout, I would recommend the book more from a historical vantage point than a spiritual one, as I would disagree with Caskie on a few points, especially calling a works-based denomination “Christian.” A little odd is his claiming of a Celtic gift of “second sight,” an “uncanny ability to anticipate events.” I don’t know what to make of that, but as the introduction concludes, “The Tartan Pimpernel illustrates the tremendous height to which the human spirit can soar in the horrors of war and is a fitting legacy of a man of outstanding courage and integrity.”
Stray Thoughts 
Wow, Barbara – that sounds like a great great book to read… thanks for the great review.
*sigh* Barbara Dear… you simply must stop reviewing books that I then turn around and think I really need to read! I am now back into Adoniram Judson – he’s just been to New York only to discover that it wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be and on the way back found out his best friend died while he lay in the room next door. It’s already killing me…. and now you come up with this one. I’m putting it on my list… but there’s almost a million in front of it.
That scene in Judson’s book is one of the most dramatic in history, I think. It almost sounds like a movie plot, but it was true, and there is some of that kind of thing in this book as well.
I also have a whole shelf of books to be read plus a growing list of more I want to read. At least I will probably never run out of good reading material. 🙂
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You might be interested in our web site about Eric Liddell and the work we do in his memory.
http://www.ericliddell.org
This book sounds absolutely AWESOME and I can’t wait to read it for myself! What a wonderful review. Thank you for taking the time to write it up!
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Hi Barbara, I am a relative of Donald Caskie on my Mothers side (Mary Caskie McDougall). I live in Australia & have since 1954, my mother died 3 years ago aged 93, her ashes are now with her Mother & Father in Scotland.
I have purchased the last copy that Amazon has of the book & I am looking forward to a good read.
There are remnants of our family still in Scotland, not many left and one of my cousins has created a family tree & I am expecting a copy any any day now by mail.
How wonderful to hear from you! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I know you will enjoy that book.
Hi Barbara – excellent review – I’m really glad to hear that people are reading and enjoying this book, as I am currently thinking about trying to tell the story in a film or stageplay. What do you mean by a “works-based denomination”? Are you referring to the Roman Catholic Church?
Hi Keith. By “works-based denomination” I mean any denomination which teaches its followers they have to do certain things to attain heaven and God’s favor rather than coming to Him in simple faith and repentance. In this particular case I was referring the the Catholic church, but it’s not the only denomination that does this. I know there are Catholic writings which point to the need for faith, but I know by and large the people are taught it is not enough in itself. I have some dear friends who are Catholic, and I think there are some true believers within it, but I think the denomination as a whole is works-based. I’ve known many who became believers while in the Catholic church but then came out of it when they realized the teaching they received didn’t match up completely with Scripture.
Of course, no denomination is flawless.
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My Granddad was Neil Campbell Caskie ,from the Scottish Highlands, he was a cousin to Rev. Donald Caskie, my Grandad passed away in Nov. 1947. His son, Cecil Neil Caskie and his wife, Auntie Ann hosted the Rev, Donald at his home in Scarborough ,Ontario. It was the year the Rev, Donald Caskie came over to Canada for ,I believe a Book Review or singning of sorts. I was only in my teens at the time and we got to meet him a couple of times during his stay. I remember a short man but very impressive and a very soft beautiful accent. At that time I wish I had asked him so many questions but I was so young and shy back then. I’m guessing it was about 19 58 – 60 , I’m 81 years old now. My Uncle Cecil ,passed away in the earlie 90’s but kept in touch with Rev, Donald until his passing . After my Uncle Cecil and my Auntie Ann passed,my Mom sked me to help clear out their home, we came across a scrap book ,with post cards ,news clippings and photo’s kept safely in a Photo Album . Apparently a Miss , May White a very good friend of Rev. Donald’s sent it to my uncle after Donald’s passing. I have it to this very day and now cherrish it and will pass on to my son one day ! My name is William Charles Wayne Curry ,my Mother was Gwendolyn Brenda ,Isobel ,Caskie Curry . Mom passed away at nearly 103 years old in 2017 in Toronto , Ontario Canada
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing! How fun to have met Donald Caskie. That scrap book sounds like a treasure!