By Michael Devlin

A NEW book exploring one of Scotland’s oldest unsolved murders will be officially launched in Donegal later this month.

‘Gertrude Canning: A Wren for 99 Days,’ written by her nephew Liam Canning, tells the story of 20-year-old Gertrude Canning from Ballindrait, who was murdered in Inveraray, Scotland in 1942.

The Donegal launch will take place at the Donegal County Museum, 2 High Road, Letterkenny, on Wednesday July 30 at 7pm.

Gertrude, a member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (commonly known as the Wrens), was stationed near a covert wartime base when her body was discovered in a ditch. She had been shot.

No one has ever been charged with her murder.

Liam Canning, a retired social worker who lives in Strabane, spent over a decade researching the case, filing Freedom of Information requests and poring through wartime records to uncover the truth.

“For me, writing this book, whilst at time’s has been challenging, but it has also been a labour of love and I am delighted that I have completed it,” he said.

“It is a tribute to my aunt and will ensure that her memory will not be forgotten despite the decades that have past.”

The story also details how the Canning family worked with the Royal British Legion to have a memorial placed at the murder site in North Cromalt Woods, and a bench overlooking the Inveraray War Memorial.

“Gertrude may have been forgotten by the justice system but she will not be forgotten by her family,” Liam added.

Gertrude is buried at Ballubogan Old Historical Graveyard near Lifford.

‘Gertrude Canning: A Wren for 99 Days’ is available online at www.gertrudecanning.com