A police Cold Case Unit in Scotland may be about to reopen an investigation into the murder of Donegal woman Gertrude Canning, murdered in 1942.
Authorities say the death of 20-year-old Gertrude – shot four times while working for the British Navy – is now part of the Unsolved Homicide Database.
Family members here have long since campaigned for more information about she died.
He said: “Gertrude was my aunt and I have been researching her story for a number of years.
“She was reared by her Aunt called Mary Ellen Cullen who lived in Milngavie in Scotland with her husband Edward and their children.
“Gertrude lived with the Cullen family at 5 Craigdhu Road from 1930–1934 and went to St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School, starting on January 7, 1931, according to the school register.
“It is my understanding that Gertrude was initially expected to be buried in Milngavie, however, it transpired that her father — my grandfather — brought her body home to Donegal for burial.
“But I have been told that her remains were brought to Milngavie to the old St Joseph’s — up the road from where the current church is.”
Liam also notes that his Aunt Gertrude had enlisted in the women’s armed forces during World War II.
Gertrude was a serving Wren (Woman’s Royal Naval Service) at Camp Quebec at No. 1 Combined Training Centre in Inveraray, Argyll, when she died in 1942.
She was returning from an errand in the town centre when she was shot four times — while wearing her uniform.
Liam added: “I am very keen to evoke some long-lost memories from someone of the Herald readership who might recognise or remember the story first-hand or even if it was relayed to them by their elders.
“I would love to know if there is anyone in the town, likely in their late 80s or early 90s, who may even have known Gertrude personally — perhaps an old school pal.”
