大象传媒

My gran told me this story when I was a wee boy, so I apologise if it is a bit vague!

My grandpa, Roderick McKendry worked as a nurse at Lennox Castle Hospital not long after WW2. During his time at the hospital he was told the story of when Rudolph Hess' plane was shot down in the Campsie Fells.

Hess was apparently on a mission to meet the Duke of Hamilton. The Duke of Hamilton having had some affinity with the Germany, although I am unsure exactly what that affinity was - or indeed what more there was to his coming to Scotland.

After Hess had been shot down he was taken to Lennox Castle Hospital in Lennoxtown. At this stage they did not know for sure who he was. On his arrival he asked his carers for their names, for if they did not treat him well, then after Germany's victory he would ensure they were severely dealt with. As if they would have treated him badly!

It emerged shortly after that he was Rudolph Hess and he was taken away from Scotland by the authorities and imprisoned in the Tower of London.

I wish I had asked my grandparents more about the war, its too late as they are gone now. All I seem to remember is this story and the droning sound of the aircraft engines my gran described when telling me about the Germans coming to bomb Clydebank.

I've so much respect for those old boys who went and fought for us.

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