THE FAMILY OF a Donegal woman murdered in Scotland during World War Two are appealing to local people who may have memories of her to get in touch.
Last week donegaldaily.com first reported how on a bright, sunny day in 1942 Gertrude Canning, dressed smartly in her Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) uniform, made her way to Inveraray in Scotland to post a letter to her family in Lifford.
When the letter arrived in her home county of Donegal two days later the 20-year-old was the subject of a missing person’s investigation. Three days later she was found dead – she had been shot four times.
Her killer was never found despite an intensive investigation.
Now 69 years later her nephew Joe Canning, together with other relatives, are trying to piece together more about their favourite aunt’s life after she left Ireland.
After visiting the spot where she was found and looking through police records Mr Canning contacted the Local History Society in Redditch, 15 miles south of Birmingham, for help after discovering she used to work at a hotel in the town before joining the Wrens and moving to Scotland.
Last week we featured the story and now Mr Canning – who now lives in Strabane – would love to hear from anyone in Donegal who has memories of his murdered aunt.
Liam told donegaldaily.com: “I am keen to hear memories as witnessed by elderly people or stories told to people by parents, grandparents or whomever.
“I have been researching this story since 2001 as Gertrude was my Aunt. Any information, comments welcome. If anyone leaves a message I will get back to them.”
You can contact Liam on 048 71 884822 or e.mail lgcanning@hotmail.com to share their memories.
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