The History
Agnes Marr
On September 16th 1943 during World War II a German aircraft, Heinkel He 115 bomber made an unscheduled stop at Windyheads Farm.
This aircraft had set off from Norderney, one of the East Frisian Islands off the coast of Germany, Their mission was to undertake armed coastal reconnaissance off Kinnard Head. Due to very poor weather, they decided to abort the mission and return to base.
During the turn to head back, and thinking they were over the sea. A wing tip unexpectedly hit the high ground causing the aircraft to crash near Windyheads Farm.
The farmer, Jimmy Beedie; housekeeper Agnes Marr and James’s cousin Donald Watson heard the noise and went to investigate and were shocked to find the aircraft, let alone the fact it was of enemy dispatch.
Donald went to find something to carry the injured airman – leaving Agnes alone with the aircrew who were armed! They could have taken her hostage or worse, but their focus was on the injured airman.
Jimmy got a policeman from New Aberdour – Harry Soppitt, who in turn called the police in Fraserburgh as well as the Home Guard led by Major David Garrioch. When they turned up at the farmhouse, The pilot was deep in conversation whilst Agnes provided food. At a time when food was scarce, police were less than complimentary about the spread put on for the Germans.
Remarkably, despite the circumstances of the war and the fact that two known enemies had just come unexpectedly face to face, the Germans showed compassion for the young woman and surrendered to Agnes, kindly warning her not to go any closer to the aircraft in case it exploded.
The injured Airman was taken to hospital in Aberdeen and the other two went to a POW camp. The unexploded bombs were dealt with and the aircraft removed from the site.
This soon became known as “Buchans own Battle of Britain experience”.