Al Fleming and Linda McIntosh: ‘The 1941 German air crash at Lennoxtown, 7th May 1941’: Thursday 7th December 2023

On 7th May 1941, a Luftwaffe Junkers Ju88 aircraft taking part in a large raid on Clydeside, was shot down by a Boulton Paul Defiant nightfighter of 141 Squadron operating from RAF Prestwick. The bomber crashed on Blairskaith Muir between Balmore and Lennoxtown with two of the four man crew being killed and subsequently buried in Lennoxtown's Campsie cemetery, The grave of one - Hauptmann Gerd Hansmann (observer) - can still be seen there, but his compatriot - Oberleutnant Werner Coenen (pilot) - was exhumed after the war and reburied in the German Military Cemetery at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire. The other two crewmen were taken prisoner and spent the remainder of the war in Canada, although one was hanged in 1946 for a murder committed in the PoW camp.

Hauptmann Gerd Hansmann and his wife Gisela.

(Public domain)

Al Fleming and Linda McIntosh, local historians and researchers, have unearthed and chronicled the events of that night. In this talk, they will unveil a story of tragedy, murder, and the chilling spectre of mass execution. Yet, amidst the shadows of war, their account illuminates a family's remarkable journey of discovery that traverses continents, leading to an unlikely alliance with Germany and an inspiring, unexpected and heart-warming friendship nearly sixty years later. 

The meeting will be held in the Park Centre, 45 Kerr Street, Kirkintilloch, G66 1LF at 7.30 pm. The annual membership subscription is £10 and visitors are welcome at all of the Society's evening events without charge as a 'taster'.

Visit to Fairfield Heritage, Tuesday 14th November 2023

On Tuesday 14th November 2023, 20 members of the Society were welcomed at the start of a two hour semi-guided tour of the museum which was opened in 2014 by Govan Workplace Ltd. This magnificent A-listed former office headquarters was built for the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd in 1891 and bought in 2009 from Clydeport for £5.8M. The preserved architecture, with its restored tiled floors, marble columns, wood panelling and lead glass windows, houses the many exhibits and displays that celebrate Govan’s ship building history. Over 800 ships were built in the yard’s 150+ years history, and shipbuilding at Fairfield continues today as BAE Systems.

Society members at the original entrance to

the Fairfield shipyard. (© R. Ruddock)

Two members of the Antiquaries listening to one of the

museum's volunteers (left). (© I.S. Ruddock)

From the mid-19th to the early 20th centuries the river Clyde in Glasgow was the centre of shipbuilding in the world, manufacturing some of the biggest and fastest vessels ever built. Engineer John Elder opened a small yard in Govan in 1860 before expanding the business to 70 acres four years later for it to become the world’s first integrated shipbuilding yard where boilers, engines and ships were built and assembled. The efficiency of the compound steam boiler at Fairfield meant that vessels needed less coal, could carry more passengers or cargo, and could travel faster and further than ever before.

On a rather wet and windy day of late autumn we were given insight into the conditions in which the former shipyard workers toiled to support their families and to the hazardous conditions in which they worked.

All in all, a great day’s outing to a museum where shipbuilding history was made.

David Graham