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| Trails of blood in the snow - 40 years on from the Glencorse Massacre | Trails of blood in the snow - 40 years on from the Glencorse Massacre |
| (3 days later) | |
| Tom Wood was one of the first to arrive at the snowy scene in the Pentland Hills on the edge of Edinburgh in Midlothian | Tom Wood was one of the first to arrive at the snowy scene in the Pentland Hills on the edge of Edinburgh in Midlothian |
| It is 40 years since the bloodied bodies of three soldiers were found in a heap next to a reservoir in Scotland's Pentland Hills. | It is 40 years since the bloodied bodies of three soldiers were found in a heap next to a reservoir in Scotland's Pentland Hills. |
| A farmer came across the scene on 17 January 1985, after following a trail of blood in the snow from a crashed Land Rover he discovered with the engine still running. | A farmer came across the scene on 17 January 1985, after following a trail of blood in the snow from a crashed Land Rover he discovered with the engine still running. |
| With the IRA bombings at their height, the soldiers from Midlothian's Glencorse Barracks were initially thought to be the victims of a terrorist attack. | With the IRA bombings at their height, the soldiers from Midlothian's Glencorse Barracks were initially thought to be the victims of a terrorist attack. |
| But Tom Wood, then a police inspector who was one of the first on the scene, said the evidence quickly led them to a fellow soldier. | But Tom Wood, then a police inspector who was one of the first on the scene, said the evidence quickly led them to a fellow soldier. |
| He has spoken to BBC Scotland News about his memories of the triple murder on the 40th anniversary of the so-called Glencorse Massacre. | He has spoken to BBC Scotland News about his memories of the triple murder on the 40th anniversary of the so-called Glencorse Massacre. |
| Andrew Walker was said to have had a "callous disregard for human life" | Andrew Walker was said to have had a "callous disregard for human life" |
| The men were discovered beside a small derelict house at Loganlea reservoir, about 10 miles south of Edinburgh. | The men were discovered beside a small derelict house at Loganlea reservoir, about 10 miles south of Edinburgh. |
| Staff Sgt Terrance Hosker, 39, and Pte John Thomson, 25, were in uniform. They were found alongside retired Major David Cunningham, 56. | Staff Sgt Terrance Hosker, 39, and Pte John Thomson, 25, were in uniform. They were found alongside retired Major David Cunningham, 56. |
| "When I got there at the back of the house and at the bottom of the stairs were three dead bodies all lying on top of each other in a crumpled heap," Mr Wood told BBC Scotland News. | "When I got there at the back of the house and at the bottom of the stairs were three dead bodies all lying on top of each other in a crumpled heap," Mr Wood told BBC Scotland News. |
| "There was blood and cartridge cases lying around on the snow at the bottom of the stairs." | "There was blood and cartridge cases lying around on the snow at the bottom of the stairs." |
| He said they were shocked as it looked like a terrorist attack, which would have been the first of its kind in Scotland. | He said they were shocked as it looked like a terrorist attack, which would have been the first of its kind in Scotland. |
| But very quickly the evidence pointed to Andrew Walker, a long-serving corporal instructor from The Royal Scots, who was 30 at the time. | But very quickly the evidence pointed to Andrew Walker, a long-serving corporal instructor from The Royal Scots, who was 30 at the time. |
| Maj David Cunningham, Pte John Thomson and Staff Sgt Terrance Hosker died in the murderous attack | Maj David Cunningham, Pte John Thomson and Staff Sgt Terrance Hosker died in the murderous attack |
| Walker had been desperate for money. He knew that Thursday was pay day for the junior soldiers training at Glencorse Barracks, and they got paid in cash. | Walker had been desperate for money. He knew that Thursday was pay day for the junior soldiers training at Glencorse Barracks, and they got paid in cash. |
| Every Thursday "regular as clockwork" a Land Rover and a crew of three soldiers would make the trip to the bank in nearby Penicuik. | Every Thursday "regular as clockwork" a Land Rover and a crew of three soldiers would make the trip to the bank in nearby Penicuik. |
| No special security arrangements were made and the escort was unarmed. | No special security arrangements were made and the escort was unarmed. |
| Walker took a Sterling sub machine gun from the armoury and loaded it with ammunition he kept as spare. | Walker took a Sterling sub machine gun from the armoury and loaded it with ammunition he kept as spare. |
| Then, concealing the short barrelled weapon under his army coat, he flagged down the payroll Land Rover and asked for a lift back to the barracks. | Then, concealing the short barrelled weapon under his army coat, he flagged down the payroll Land Rover and asked for a lift back to the barracks. |
| Being known to the payroll crew, they allowed him to jump into the back of the vehicle. | Being known to the payroll crew, they allowed him to jump into the back of the vehicle. |
| He had planned to shoot all three of them deep in the Pentland Hills but as he hijacked them at gunpoint there was a scuffle in the back of the vehicle and Staff Sgt Hosker was shot. | He had planned to shoot all three of them deep in the Pentland Hills but as he hijacked them at gunpoint there was a scuffle in the back of the vehicle and Staff Sgt Hosker was shot. |
| Walker then also killed Maj Cunningham. | Walker then also killed Maj Cunningham. |
| Next he forced Pte Thomson to take a detour into the Pentland Hills at Flotterstone and up to Loganlea reservoir. | Next he forced Pte Thomson to take a detour into the Pentland Hills at Flotterstone and up to Loganlea reservoir. |
| Walker was on the run for three days before being captured | Walker was on the run for three days before being captured |
| There he made the young soldier help him drag the bodies to the back of the cottage. | There he made the young soldier help him drag the bodies to the back of the cottage. |
| However, if Pte Thomson thought his help would earn him mercy he was wrong. | However, if Pte Thomson thought his help would earn him mercy he was wrong. |
| Walker would leave no witnesses - Pte Thomson was executed, with a bullet in the head. | Walker would leave no witnesses - Pte Thomson was executed, with a bullet in the head. |
| "This is a soldier shooting his brothers in arms. It's diabolical, it really is," said Mr Wood. | "This is a soldier shooting his brothers in arms. It's diabolical, it really is," said Mr Wood. |
| And all for just £19,000 - enough to buy two cars at the time. | And all for just £19,000 - enough to buy two cars at the time. |
| Walker had been deep in debt and he had thought he could make it look like an IRA terrorist attack and robbery. | Walker had been deep in debt and he had thought he could make it look like an IRA terrorist attack and robbery. |
| But his plan went wrong when his getaway vehicle skidded on the slippery path on his way out of the Pentland Hills to the main road - getting stuck in an icy ditch. | But his plan went wrong when his getaway vehicle skidded on the slippery path on his way out of the Pentland Hills to the main road - getting stuck in an icy ditch. |
| "He had probably planned to dump the Land Rover, clean the gun and quickly return to barracks before he was missed," Mr Wood said. | "He had probably planned to dump the Land Rover, clean the gun and quickly return to barracks before he was missed," Mr Wood said. |
| "As it was, his plan and timescales were in tatters. He was now on foot with a bloodied uniform, an inconvenient gun he had to return, and a bag of cash he had to hide. | "As it was, his plan and timescales were in tatters. He was now on foot with a bloodied uniform, an inconvenient gun he had to return, and a bag of cash he had to hide. |
| "Being skilled in the art of concealment he probably hid out for a while before making off across the snowy landscape." | "Being skilled in the art of concealment he probably hid out for a while before making off across the snowy landscape." |
| When it was safe he made his way back to barracks but by that time his movements were under scrutiny. | When it was safe he made his way back to barracks but by that time his movements were under scrutiny. |
| A new plaque to commemorate the soldiers has been laid in the ground beside Loganlea Cottage | A new plaque to commemorate the soldiers has been laid in the ground beside Loganlea Cottage |
| Shootings were uncommon in the east of Scotland, multiple shootings rarer still. | Shootings were uncommon in the east of Scotland, multiple shootings rarer still. |
| This was no ordinary crime, Mr Wood said. | This was no ordinary crime, Mr Wood said. |
| "On the face of it, the crimes bore some of the hallmarks of a terrorist attack. | "On the face of it, the crimes bore some of the hallmarks of a terrorist attack. |
| "The Provisional IRA were active on the mainland of Britain, they favoured military targets, and were always looking for funds. | "The Provisional IRA were active on the mainland of Britain, they favoured military targets, and were always looking for funds. |
| "They weren't averse to a bit of robbery in pursuit of their cause." | "They weren't averse to a bit of robbery in pursuit of their cause." |
| However, there were problems with the terrorist theory. | However, there were problems with the terrorist theory. |
| "First the Provisional IRA had never carried out an attack in Scotland - seeing the Scots as Gaelic cousins, external they had privately declared Scotland 'out of bounds'. | "First the Provisional IRA had never carried out an attack in Scotland - seeing the Scots as Gaelic cousins, external they had privately declared Scotland 'out of bounds'. |
| "Secondly, it was the habit of the IRA to claim responsibility for their attacks, so as to enhance their reputations as well as spreading terror." | "Secondly, it was the habit of the IRA to claim responsibility for their attacks, so as to enhance their reputations as well as spreading terror." |
| No-one had claimed responsibility. | No-one had claimed responsibility. |
| Andrew Walker was said to have hidden the money he stole in the Pentland Hills | Andrew Walker was said to have hidden the money he stole in the Pentland Hills |
| Col Clive Fairweather, the commanding officer at Glencorse Barracks, worked with police officers investigating the murders including head of CID in the Lothians Det Ch Supt Brian Cunningham. | |
| An experienced military man, Col Fairweather had been second in command of the SAS operation that stormed the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980. | |
| "No-one knew the Army or its soldiers better than Col Fairweather, and he quickly spotted the bullet cases in the back of the bloodied Land Rover," Mr Wood said. | "No-one knew the Army or its soldiers better than Col Fairweather, and he quickly spotted the bullet cases in the back of the bloodied Land Rover," Mr Wood said. |
| "He knew the type well, they were all 9mm parabellum cases, a calibre not usually favoured by terrorists but in common usage by the British Army for all its small arms, pistols and Sterling sub machine guns." | "He knew the type well, they were all 9mm parabellum cases, a calibre not usually favoured by terrorists but in common usage by the British Army for all its small arms, pistols and Sterling sub machine guns." |
| The Det Ch Supt and Col Fairweather were beginning to suspect the robbery was an "inside job". | The Det Ch Supt and Col Fairweather were beginning to suspect the robbery was an "inside job". |
| A witness had also come forward to say they had seen four men in the Land Rover outside the bank - and three had been in uniform. | A witness had also come forward to say they had seen four men in the Land Rover outside the bank - and three had been in uniform. |
| "It was a significant piece of information," said Mr Wood. | "It was a significant piece of information," said Mr Wood. |
| There was also one gun that had been taken out of the armoury and replaced by Walker in the logs that day which matched with a bullet lodged in Staff Sgt Hosker's shoulder. | There was also one gun that had been taken out of the armoury and replaced by Walker in the logs that day which matched with a bullet lodged in Staff Sgt Hosker's shoulder. |
| "Each rifle barrel is different in minute detail and leaves distinct striation marks on the soft lead of a bullet head as it passes down the barrel," Mr Wood said. | "Each rifle barrel is different in minute detail and leaves distinct striation marks on the soft lead of a bullet head as it passes down the barrel," Mr Wood said. |
| "The firing pins of individual weapons also leave distinctive marks on the detonator caps of bullet casings. | "The firing pins of individual weapons also leave distinctive marks on the detonator caps of bullet casings. |
| "It was best and conclusive evidence." | "It was best and conclusive evidence." |
| Walker returned the gun before going absent without leave for three days. | Walker returned the gun before going absent without leave for three days. |
| He eventually returned to the barracks and attempted to bluster it out, denying all knowledge, and suggesting it had been the IRA that had been responsible but he was detained. | He eventually returned to the barracks and attempted to bluster it out, denying all knowledge, and suggesting it had been the IRA that had been responsible but he was detained. |
| Shortly afterwards he was arrested when ballistic results arrived back from the lab. | Shortly afterwards he was arrested when ballistic results arrived back from the lab. |
| Andrew Walker never admitted his crimes and was never paroled | Andrew Walker never admitted his crimes and was never paroled |
| Walker denied his crimes but a jury in the High Court in Edinburgh found him guilty of the murders. | Walker denied his crimes but a jury in the High Court in Edinburgh found him guilty of the murders. |
| Judge Lord Grieve recommended he serve at least 30 years in prison because of his "callous disregard for human life". This was reduced to 27 years on appeal. | Judge Lord Grieve recommended he serve at least 30 years in prison because of his "callous disregard for human life". This was reduced to 27 years on appeal. |
| In 2011 Walker was released from prison on compassionate grounds, two years after a stroke left him severely disabled. | In 2011 Walker was released from prison on compassionate grounds, two years after a stroke left him severely disabled. |
| He died from a respiratory infection and suspected cancer in a care home in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, in 2021 at the age of 67. | He died from a respiratory infection and suspected cancer in a care home in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, in 2021 at the age of 67. |
| The plaque remembering the murdered soldiers is outside Loganlea Cottage. | The plaque remembering the murdered soldiers is outside Loganlea Cottage. |
| "Andrew Walker was a cold-hearted killer who set out to rob in the certain knowledge that to escape he would have to kill his three comrades in arms," said Mr Wood. | "Andrew Walker was a cold-hearted killer who set out to rob in the certain knowledge that to escape he would have to kill his three comrades in arms," said Mr Wood. |
| "I suspect he was involved in some pretty brutal stuff in Northern Ireland because what he did was a cold-hearted execution." | "I suspect he was involved in some pretty brutal stuff in Northern Ireland because what he did was a cold-hearted execution." |
| He doesn't think Walker was mentally ill, he was "just a wicked guy". | He doesn't think Walker was mentally ill, he was "just a wicked guy". |
| "He had absolutely no empathy for human suffering and that's what makes me wonder what he had been exposed to early in his Army service." | "He had absolutely no empathy for human suffering and that's what makes me wonder what he had been exposed to early in his Army service." |
| His planning of the crime was simple and audacious but poorly thought through, he added. | His planning of the crime was simple and audacious but poorly thought through, he added. |
| Mr Wood said, like many criminals, his plan of attack was much better planned than his plan of escape. | Mr Wood said, like many criminals, his plan of attack was much better planned than his plan of escape. |
| "As a military man he should have known that no plan survives contact with reality, yet when the first thing went wrong he had no back up plan," he said. | "As a military man he should have known that no plan survives contact with reality, yet when the first thing went wrong he had no back up plan," he said. |
| "The simple act of skidding on an icy road derailed his brutal enterprise." | "The simple act of skidding on an icy road derailed his brutal enterprise." |