Kids’ gruesome find playing near castle

Children playing on a scrub-covered slope beneath the west wall of Stirling Castle made a grim discovery , the Observer of November, 1939, reported.

They came upon the almost completely decomposed body of a man .

The youngsters ran home to tell their parents and police were informed.

Officers discovered on the body an Army pay book bearing the name Pte Robert Hendry and shortly after his wife, who lived in Hawthorn Crescent, Raploch, identified the clothing as belonging to her husband.

Pte Hendry was a reservist and in early September, the day before the outbreak of World War Two, he went to Stirling Castle to enlist in his old regiment, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

His services were not, however, required but he stayed at the castle overnight. When his wife and father called at the castle the following day, Pte Hendry could not be found.

Pte Hendry was 27 and joined the Army in 1930, serving with the Argylls in India. He left the Army in 1937 and worked as a labourer. He was survived by his wife and child.

●In a story headed `Blackout fatality’ the Observer of November, 1939, told how well-known town publican Mr Duncan Stirling was killed in a road accident.

The 66-year-old was apparently hit by a motor vehicle in Barnton Street, Stirling, shortly before 10pm.

He was found lying near the junction with Irvine Place minutes after a number of vehicles had passed on their way north. Mr Stirling, who lived in Cambusbarron Road, St Ninians, was taken unconscious to Stirling Royal Infirmary but died later that night.

The owner of the Palace Inn, St Mary’s Wynd, Stirling, for 15 years, he was the brother of Baillie Stirling, Bridge of Allan, and the son of Mr William Stirling who for many years had been `grieve’ (overseer) of Keirfield Farm.

Duncan Stirling started his career with Caledonian Railway Company at Bridge of Allan and later worked as a bread salesman for Stirling Cooperative. The Observer said he was a member of St Ninians Old Parish Church and of `quiet disposition’.

He was survived by his widow, two daughters and a son who was in America.