n THE Herald reported: ''Feeling he had a duty to be in as dangerous a position as his friends in the services, conscientious objector, Samuel S MacIlwain, 38 Ashburton Road, Glasgow, joined the Merchant Navy, was bombed in Malta harbour, and was the only survivor from a ship attacked by Stukas while tied up in port. He appeared before a conscientious objectors' tribunal in Glasgow and claimed exemption on religious grounds. MacIlwain, 29, said he had been employed with a Glasgow company, but feeling he should be in a position as dangerous as that of his friends in the services, he became fourth officer of a ship. He had previously been four years at sea.
''His first ship carried ammunition, but to leave would have been an open confession of cowardice. His next ship carried explosives, and was attacked by 52 Stukas. He was some distance from the ship, and was the only member of the crew left alive.
''He asked for release from the Merchant Navy and to work with an ambulance unit. MacIlwain was granted exemption provided he took up agricultural work, forestry or land reclamation work.''
n THE Herald featured a letter from a young Scots airman. ''In three years I should have been a doctor. But what good would that have been if we had lost the war? I am more use as an airman than a medical student. I realise I am jeopardising my career by taking this step, but I'd rather be a navvy in a free Britain than a doctor in a German colony.''
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