A massive search across Dalwinton terrain over the weekend for missing Gunner, 53-year-old Dane McGill, resulted in a man’s body being found on Sunday afternoon.
Police Scotland Dumfries and Galloway said the discovery came around 3.45pm and while formal identification was yet to take place, Dane’s family have been informed.
A police statement said: “There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be sent to the Procurator
Fiscal.”
The former Royal Artillery soldier – known as a “Gunner” – was last seen around 12.30pm on Friday, November 10, in Dalswinton.
His deeply concerned family, including wife, Lynette, said it was “out of character” for Dane – part of Police Scotland Dumfries and Galloway’s Riders Branch – not to stay in touch.
A public appeal was sounded and an initial search was carried out in parts of the region and in Ayrshire by Police Scotland.
Specialist advisors, mountain rescue teams, and a dog unit all lent their assistance.
Another public appeal was made after a month, and then, earlier this month, David Provan, who has been friends with Dane since 1988 when they served in the same Royal Artillery Battery in Hohne, Germany, announced he was organising the weekend search, with support locally from Dumfries Veterans Garden.
It attracted more than 100 people on Saturday and more than 40 on Sunday and included an array of professionals, local volunteers, Dane’s family and
friends.
Brian Dickie of the Dumfries Veteran’s Garden told the Standard yesterday: “It was not the outcome we wanted when we helped on the search for Dane.
“Rest in eternal peace, Dane.
“We are all very emotional today and our thoughts are with his family.
“Hopefully this will bring them closure.”
(Image: Les Snowdon)
Brian, who ran a soup kitchen in Dalswinton Village Hall, with his partner Donna Wilson and a team of helpers, for the searchers said: “We are grateful to Anne and Jade at the two Tescos in Dumfries, the two foodbanks and everyone who donated so that we could keep the searchers fed and
watered. There was a 100 per cent commitment from everyone involved in the search.
“People came from all over the UK with many skills.
“It is thick dense terrain with woodlands and water, and pathways – a lot to search through.
“There were two dog teams, two water search teams, two drone teams, and many people on foot including those who know the area around Dalswinton well.
“It was well organised – military precision. Thank you to everyone involved.
“His family were thanking everyone.
“The search and the amount of people there shows just how much he was well thought of and loved
“We hope his family take some comfort from everyone being there for Dane and
them.
“Our deepest condolences.”
Helpers, voluntary underwater sonar search and recovery dive team based in Lancashire, Beneath the Surface, added their tribute:
“It’s with great sadness to update that a body was located.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with Dane’s loved ones at this difficult
time.”
