Spoof of Hitler's will found on Long Mynd
A rare and humorous spoof of Hitler's will printed at the beginning of the Second World War by a Shropshire publisher has been found under a bed in the county.
Marguerite MacPhearson, 77, was sorting through a box of her late father-in-law's war memorabilia, when she discovered what she first thought had been a genuine copy of the Nazi leader's will under her bed.
But on closer inspection, it appeared to be a mock version of it.
The "Last Will and Testament of Adolph Ananias Hitler" - which is printed as a leaflet on an A4 piece of paper and folds three ways - says it was "made" on September 3, 1939, the day Great Britain officially declared war on Germany.
Inside the will reads: "Knowing that my end is near - that I will very soon die, that I have shot my bold - that I have now gone too far - also knowing England has me beaten, I, Hitler, better known as the mad dog of Germany, appoint Herr Von Grosse Kop to be my sole executioner, and direct that all of the undermentioned be carried out."
It goes on to list several requests including: "To Charlie Chaplin I return the moustache I pinched from him. As a comedian I have been an abject failure and have no further use for same.
"To Winston Churchill all those balconies I have cursed him from.
"All copies of 'Mein Kampf' I unreservedly assign to the manure heap."
It added: "Knowing my ultimate destination I wish to be buried in an Asbestos Suit."
A note at the bottom of the pamphlet says it was published by B. Goodman, Hill View, Pontesbury.
Mrs MacPhearson, of Burnell Road, said: "My father-in-law, Donald Neil MacPhearson, was a member of Shropshire Constabulary and said he picked this up on the Long Mynd while out on duty. He said he just picked it up off the top of the hills.
"I only found out about it as he began to get older and he came to live with us because he was ill, I acquired all of this paper work, he has Shropshire newspapers going back to 1934 and a lot of war memorabilia.
"They have just been sat in a drawer under my bed. These were given to my late husband, who was in the Air Force, and I won't part with them."
A quick search online for the leaflet shows a "very rare" copy on sale on eBay and one for sale for £100.
