Misc. Lanarkshire Accidents post-1926

This section contains newspaper reports on selected accidents in miscellaneous areas of Lanarkshire from 1926 onwards.  Please check the indexes in the Accidents Section for reports by the Inspector of Mines and accidents in other areas.

8 March 1926

Mining Fatality At Mount Vernon - A miner named Joseph Fisher (44), residing at 162 Budhill Avenue, Shettleston, has been fatally injured in the lower Drumgray coal seam of Kenmuirhill Colliery, Mount Vernon. A stone weighing about a ton fell upon him from the roof in his working place and crushed him to death. [Scotsman 9 March 1926]

16 May 1926

Glasgow Pit Fire – How Two Lives Were Lost - A public inquiry was held before Sheriff Principal Mackenzie, in the Justiciary Buildings, Jail Square, Glasgow, yesterday, into the circumstances attending the death of two safety men, James Dougal Alexander and Robert M'Geachie, who were trapped in Blackhill Colliery, Lambhill, Glasgow, on May 16, as the result of an outbreak of fire.

William Stewart, 69 Barloch Street, Possilpark, an underground fireman, stated that on May 14 he inspected the shaft., and found everything in order. He did this before he went off duty at 10.45 in the evening. There was no fire or gas in the pit. They worked with naked lights as the pit was entirely free from gas. Three safely men, including the two deceased, came on duty about 11pm.

Thomas Loudon, Blackhill Colliery Rows, Lambhill, said that Alexander and M'Geachie went down the main dook section, and he went into the engine-room. This was the last he ever saw of the two men. A little before one o'clock he got a signal from them which meant that he had to put off the power of the pumps. He stated that the safely men usually came back to the engine-room between one and three o'clock for breakfast. On the morning in question, however, he waited for them till 3.50, and as they did not return he went to explore.

The Fiscal—is it the case that your rescue operations revealed the presence of very considerable quantities of gas, and that the post-mortem examination revealed that these men died from gas poisoning? Witness—Yes.

Questioned as to whether a more immediate form of reversing the air current could not have been adopted, the witness replied that to reverse the current would have taken several hours, and would not have saved the lives of the men.

Mr George Hinshelwood, manager of the colliery, staled that he was informed the pit was on fire at four o'clock in the morning. In explaining how rescue operations were conducted, he said that they tried to beat the smoke back with water. They found the bodies of the two men about 40 yards from the main dook on Sunday, May 16, and they were lying face downwards about seven yards apart.

Mr Arthur Stoker, Senior Inspector of Mines for Scotland, explained why the air current was not reversed sooner. He said that progress had been made with the actual fire, and they might have got past at any moment; and there was also the possibility that the men had retreated to some place where there was pure air, the means for reversing the air current, he considered, were not adequate. Beyond the fire there were considerable quantities of carbon-monoxide gas. He was convinced that when the bodies had been recovered, the men had been dead for thirty hours. The jury returned a formal verdict in accordance with the evidence. [Scotsman 25 June 1925]

October 1926

Durban Explosion – Scottish Victims - A list of men who were killed in the explosion at the Durban Navigation Collieries, South Africa, was received yesterday by Hull, Blyth, & Co. (Ltd,), West George Street, the Glasgow agents of the collieries. There are five names on the list, as follow:—Duncan Maclachlan, William Smith, John Wilson, Thomas Marshall, and Alex. Shirlaw. The addresses of the victims have not yet been received, but some are believed to belong to Glasgow and the West of Scotland. Maclachlan is known to be a Paisley man. [Scotsman 14 October 1926]

21 October 1926

MINER KILLED AT WORK. - William Craig, miner, Kingston Flats, Kilsyth, one of the men who had returned to work at Wester Gartshore Colliery, was pinned down by a stone weighing about four tons which came away in the underground workings. When extricated he was found to be very seriously injured and he succumbed. [Evening Telegraph 22 October 1926]

3 November 1926

Scots Pit Tragedy – Two Miners Dead – Victims of Fire-Damp - Apparently overcome by fire-damp, two Glasgow miners lost their lives yesterday in Robroyston Pit, the property of John Watson (Ltd.), Glasgow, The victims were:-

Alexander Thomson (24), who resided at 16 Chester Street, Shettleston, Glasgow,
and Charles Lawson (25), who resided at 545 Old Shettleston Road, Glasgow.

Recently a number of miners resumed work in this colliery, and when a start was made yesterday morning Thomson and Lawson were commissioned to clear a fall which had occurred at another part of the workings. A considerable interval having elapsed, the other workmen began to comment on the non-appearance of their mates, and became apprehensive as to their safety. Investigation parties were formed, and, as a result of the search, the two men were found lying on the road. An impure atmosphere suggested fire-damp, and the men were hurried to the surface, where medical examination proved life extinct. It is surmised that the victims had ventured beyond the safety limit, and had been overcome by fumes. [Scotsman 4 November 1926]

7 February 1927

Chapelhall – Pit drawer Fatally Injured – While at work in Burniebrae coal mine, Chapelhall, on Monday, a drawer named A. Hill, 17, Brick Row, Salsburgh, received fatal injuries. He was caught by a runaway hutch and crushed against the wall in the roadway, sustaining internal and spinal injuries. He was conveyed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he yesterday succumbed to his injuries. [Hamilton Advertiser 12 February 1927]

26 February 1927

Fatal Colliery Accident – A tragic accident resulting in the death of John Clelland (23), miner, Douglas Castle terrace, Douglas West, took place in Douglas Castle Colliery on Saturday morning. The accident occurred in the west stooping section of the colliery and took place with tragically startling suddeness. The deceased, about 9am, was engaged filling a hutch at the coal face when the contractor, Frank Cornelius, called on him to come and have his piece. Clelland shouted - “All right, I'll be there when I fill this bogey”. Later Cornelius was joined by another workman and finished eating his piece. At this stage another workman named Crawford came in and asked if Clelland had not come out. Cornelius explained that he had shouted on Clelland. He again shouted to Clelland but got no reply. He sent the other two men (Watson and Crawford) to find out what was wrong and on these two men going to where Clelland had been working they discovered him in a kneeling position with his head jammed between a large stone and the pavement. The stone was at once removed but Clelland was found to be dead. The remains were removed to the surface and examined by Dr A Cameron Ewing, who gave it as his opinion that death was instantaneous. The stone, which weighed about 1 cwt had apparently come away from the roof and hit Clelland on the side of the head while he knelt at his work. The injuries were fracture of the neck and skull. [Hamilton Advertiser 5 March 1927]

6 April 1927

Burnbank Miner's Tragic Death – The body of Robert Callan, machineman, was found in debris in Bardykes Pit, Dalton, Cambuslang, on Wednesday after a shot had been fired. Callan was recently engaged at the pit, and, being a stranger, it is thought that he took the wrong direction after receiving the usual warning which is given preparatory to shot firing. He resided at 12 Glenlee Street, Burnbank. [Hamilton Advertiser 9 April 1927]

19 April 1927

Cambuslang Miner Killed - Owen Harty, 118 Duke's Road, Cambuslang, while working in Bardykes Colliery, Cambuslang yesterday, was caught and buried in a heavy fall from the roof. When extricated, life was extinct. The deceased was 54 years of ago, and leaves a widow and family of eight. [Scotsman 20 April 1927]

Cambuslang – Bardykes Colliery Fatality – While waiting to bore at the coal face at Bardykes Colliery, Spittal, Cambuslang, early on Tuesday morning, Owen Harty, 50, hole borer, 118 Duke's Road, Wellshot, Cambuslang, was buried beneath a fall of debris from the wall. When he was extricated, life was found to be extinct. Harty leaves a widow and grown up family. [Hamilton Advertiser 23 April 1927]

2 May 1927

Fatal Accident – On Monday night about ten o'clock James Kelly, 19, who resided with his stepfather Allan M'Gowan, at 280 Caledonian Road, Wishaw, met with a fatal accident in No 6 Law Colliery. It appears that about 20 minutes before finishing his shift he was working in the Kiltongue dook section when he was knocked down by a hutch which broke away on the braehead. Death was almost instantaneous. The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon to Cambusnethan cemetery when there was a good turnout of Territorials and friends. [Hamilton Advertiser 7 May 1927]

17 May 1927

Robroyston Miner Killed - Thomas Boyle, machineman, residing at Shettleston, Glasgow, was killed in Messrs John Watson's Robroyston Colliery on Tuesday night. Deceased was caught by a fall from the roof, and when extricated he was found to be dead. As a mark of sympathy the miners refrained from working yesterday. [Scotsman 19 May 1927]

6 July 1927

Broomhouse Mine Fatality – The death occurred yesterday of Gardner Hannah (52), an underground motorman, 2 Muirside Rows, Baillieston, who met with an accident in the main haulage road of Broomhouse Colliery, of the Mount Vernon Colliery Co. (Ltd.) He had been knocked down by four empty coal hutches, which had become disconnected from a rake of thirteen going to the coal face. [Scotsman 7 July 1927]

14 August 1927

Engineman Electrocuted at Glenboig - The death took place in the Loch Mine, Glenboig, owned and worked by the Clydesdale Coal Company (Ltd.), of Hugh M'Coll (25), a haulage engineman, by electric shock. He was heard to shout, and was found in a sitting position holding on to a stay wire supporting an electric lamp, about 10 yards from the mouth of the mine. The wire had been fully charged with electricity, and M'Coll appeared to be unconscious. Artificial respiration was used, but was unavailing, death having supervened. A doctor on examining the body, certified death as due to electric shock. [Scotsman 19 August 1927]

13 October 1927

Scots Pit Explosion – Five Men Injured – Alarm in Baillieston - Five miners were burned, two of them seriously, in an explosion which occurred yesterday morning in the Barrachnie Pit, Baillieston, belonging to the Mount Vernon Coal Company (Limited) The two men most seriously hurt were conveyed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, while the three others were taken to their homes.

The explosion toot place about half-past nine o'clock in what is known as the "Virgin Section'' of the colliery. Some thirty men were employed in that portion of the pit, but at the time several of them were at breakfast. Of the injured miners, four were working at the coal face when the accident happened, and the remaining man was a drawer.

First a slight explosion was heard by those who were breakfasting at the entrance to the seam, but little attention was paid to it. Almost immediately afterwards a much more serious explosion created genuine alarm. A rush was made towards the coal face to ascertain what had happened, and the injured men were met coming out of the section and were assisted to the surface. It is thought that the explosion was caused by the ignition of fire damp.

The names of the injured men are:-
Thomas Thomson, 3 Mill Road, Carluke
Charles Reid, 7A Main Stret, Baillieston
Walter Black, Swinton Road, Baillieston
William Farrell, South Chester Street, Shettleston
John Broadley, Carluke

The first two men, who had apparently sustained the full force of the explosion, were conveyed to the Infirmary, and last evening were reported to be as well as could be expected.

Enveloped in Flame - Walter Black, interviewed at his home after the accident, said he was preparing to go for breakfast when he was suddenly enveloped in a sheet of flame. The rush of air which followed was so strong that he was thrown to the ground. The other injured men were working at the face. Although his hair, eyebrows, and moustache were badly singed, Black said he escaped very lightly. He added that he was on the eve of his 62nd birthday, and this was the first time he had been involved in any accident.

One of the men in the section at the time, Robert Farrell, residing in Baillieston, explained that electric safety lamps were used in the pit. He was at breakfast, at the entrance to the coal face, when he heard an explosion. "I did not pay much attention to it," he remarked, "but shortly after another and louder explosion took place. We certainly paid attention to that one. I went along towards the coal face to see if my neighbour was all right. The first man I saw coming towards me was Thomson, who shouted, 'Fetch me a drink.' Black and Reid also managed to scramble out, but my neighbour, Farrell, had no light, as his lamp had been blown out, and I went to lead him along. The injured men were helped to the cage, and at the pithead their injuries were dressed." Farrell added that the flame following on the explosion travelled about 100 feet.

News of the explosion caused a good deal of alarm in Baillieston. As a result of the accident some of the men employed in the section will be temporarily thrown idle. [Scotsman 14 October 1927]

[NB Thomas Thomson subsequently died]

21 November 1927

Curious Fatality in a Coal Mine - Two men named John and Alexander Walker, residing at 15 Salamanca Street, Glasgow, were involved in a curious accident while engaged drawing a hutch of refuse in Kenmuirhill Colliery, Carmyle, belonging to the Mount Vernon Colliery (Ltd.). It appears that blasting operations had previously been going on, and it is thought that when pushing the hutch the friction of the hutch upon a detonator or other explosive in the pocket of the trousers worn by. John Walker had,caused the explosive to burst, with the result that both men were severely injured. John suffered from fracture of the thigh and lacerated wounds of the abdomen, and has since died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 24 November 1927]

21 December 1927

Man's Body Found in Pond - Glasgow Police yesterday reported a drowning accident that occurred at Robroyston on Tuesday. James Gardiner (44), a winding engineman who resided at 22 Earnock Street, Robroyston, and who was employed at Robroyston Colliery, was instructed by his brother, a foreman engineer, to unscrew the bolts of a feed pipe at the edge of a pond. Situated within the grounds of the colliery, the pond is 10 feet deep, and is surrounded by a two-feet wall. The man's failure to return home in the evening gave rise to fears regarding his safety, and after inquiries the pond was drained. In the bottom of the pond the missing man's body was found, and on examination it was observed that there was a wound above his nose. It is thought that while unscrewing the bolts, the instrument with which he worked slipped and caused him to fall into the water. In falling, it is presumed, he struck something that caused the injury to his face. No one witnessed the tragic occurrence. [Scotsman 22 December 1927]

23 December 1927

Clay Miner's Fatal Injuries - Alexander Fowler (30), clay miner, yesterday died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary from the effects of injuries received in a clay mine at Birkhill, near Manuel Junction. Crushed by a heavy fall from the roof on Wednesday, he sustained severe injuries to the head, and his left thigh was fractured. Deceased leaves a widow, who lives at Glenboig. [Scotsman 24 December 1927]

15 February 1928

Explosion In Scottish Pit - One Man Dead and Two Injured. - While at work in Auchengeoch Colliery, Chryston, on the night-shift, Archibald Orr, miner, Muirhead, was instantly killed by an explosion of gas the underground workings. Thomas Cranston and James Marshall, miners, Bridgend, who were near the place, were injured and had to be taken home. Orr leaves a widow and four children. [Evening Telegraph 16 February 1928]

7 March 1928

Pinned Under Stone - Scottish Miner Fatally Injured. - Charles Higgins, miner, Annathill Terrace, Bedlay, Lanarkshire, was at work in Bedlay Colliery when a huge stone suddenly came out of the roof of the workings and fell upon him. It took several men to raise the stone and when Higgins was got out he was to found be in a critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries. [Evening Telegraph 7 March 1928]

12 May 1928

Bishopbriggs Pit Fatality - Harry Halliday (53), underground oncost worker, who resided al 78 Duncruin Street, Maryhill, Glasgow; met his death at Summerlee Coal Company's Blackhill Colliery, Bishopbriggs, on Saturday afternoon. Having completed his shift, deceased had been walking up the dook brae to the pit bottom when he was knocked by a runaway hutch. [Scotsman 14 May 1928]

4 July 1928

Two Glasgow Miners Killed - Two men were killed and one was injured in a colliery accident at pits owned by the Garscube Company, Cadder-road, Maryhill, Glasgow, on Wednesday. James Slavin, of Maryhill-road, Joseph Smith, of Springburn-road, and James McLaughlin, of Raglan-street, were at work in a seam 2ft. 6in. in height when there was a serious fall of roof and all three were buried. Seven other miners employed where the fall took place managed to make their escape. Within half an hour Slavin was extricated by a rescue party and removed to hospital, suffering from serious injuries. The bodies of Smith and McLaughlin were recovered later. [The Times 6 July 1928]

18 October 1928

Motherwell - Colliery Fatality - The funeral took place to Airbles Cemetery on Monday afternoon of a well known local colliery worker - James Gaitens (60), repairer, 7 Reid Street - who met with his death about 11 o'clock on Thursday evening last while at work in Braidhurst Colliery. Deceased had been at work in the virtuewell seam at a point situated 750 yards east of No 2 pit bottom, when a stone, weighing about 2 tons fell from the roof, crushing him to the ground. Death was instantaneous. Deceased, who leaves a widow and grown-up family, was well-known in band circles, having in his earlier days, along with three of his brothers, been a most enthusiastic member of the old Wishaw band. Latterly he was a member of the Motherwell League of the Cross Band. [Hamilton Advertiser 27 October 1928]

11 December 1928

Motherwell - Pit Accident - Peter Lees (36), miner, residing at 47 Milton Street, met with an accident while at work in Parkneuk Colliery on Tuesday. He received severe injuries to the hand and was removed to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. [Hamilton Advertiser 15 December 1928]

5 January 1929

Miner Electrocuted – Lady Doctor Descends Pit - When a number of men were at work on Saturday in the main coal section of Newton No. 1 Colliery, Cambuslang, which is owned by A. G. Moore & Co. (Ltd.), one of them, Duncan Connor, came into contact with the electric current, and was killed instantaneously. The deceased was 37 years of age, and resided at 9 Clyde Street, Newton He leaves a widow and child. Thomas Lochrie; another miner, 25 Clyde Street, Newton, was also affected, but after medical attention recovered consciousness, and was removed home suffering from shock. Samuel Templeton, 64 Dunlop Street, Newton, had a narrow escape of being involved in the accident, as he left his comrades just as the accident occurred. When intimation of the accident was conveyed to Dr Anne Mitchell, Newton, she proceeded at once to the colliery, where she was joined by the Rev. George Galbraith, M.C., St Charles R.C. Church. Newton, and together they descended into the mine and walked half a mile through the workings to the scene of the accident. Artificial respiration was tried for three hours by Dr Mitchell in an attempt to revive Connor, but without success. Owing to the accident, the miners stopped work and the colliery was thrown idle for the day. [Scotsman 7 January 1929]

14 February 1929

23 February 1929

Accident At Bishopbriggs - Engaged filling blaes from a bing at Mount Vernon colliery Company's Cadder Brickwork, Bishopbriggs, on Saturday, James Flannigan, 1139 Shettleston Road, Glasgow, was injured by a large stone which fell and caught him. After receiving medical attention he was removed in an ambulance waggon to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow where he was detained. [Scotsman 25 February 1929]

8 March 1929

Glasgow Pit Workers Fatal Fall - Michael M'Gever (21), pit sinker, who resided at 48 Abbotsford Place, South Side, Glasgow, met his death under tragic circumstances on Saturday at Messrs James Nimmo & Co.'s No. 3 Pit, Wester Auchengeoich Colliery, Auchinairn, Bishopbriggs. M'Gever and another sinker, Edward Boyle, 379 Argyle Street, Glasgow, was standing on a cage about six fathoms from the surface, being engaged putting new slides into the pit shaft. Endeavouring to remove a bolt from one of the wooden battens, which separates the one shaft from the other, and to which the slides are fixed, M'Gever had to use an iron punch. On removing the punch, M'Gever seems to have overbalanced, and, falling between the battens, he was precipitated into the adjoining shaft, where there is no cage. He fell a distance of 110 fathoms, and when picked up life was extinct. [Scotsman 11 March 1929]

NB According to NAS catalogue name was Patrick McGever

22 March 1929

Fatal Accident Inquiry - Sheriff Macdonald and a jury inquired into a number of fatal accidents on Monday at the Sheriff Court, Hamilton. Formal verdicts were returned with regards to the deaths of - William Coats, miner, 6 Victoria Buildings, Mill Road, Halfway, Cambuslang, who died as the result of injuries to his left knee received while working on 22nd March in the Virgin seam of Gateside Colliery, Cambuslang [Hamilton Advertiser 11 May 1929]

12 July 1929

Cambuslang Pit Cage Fatality - A fatal accident occurred on Friday evening in Kenmuirhill No. 4 colliery, which is situated near the River Clyde at Newton, Cambuslang. The victim was Robert Gibson Carmichael (43), who resided at Hallside, Newton. The deceased was employed as oversman and pump inspector, and after making his last inspection of the pumps for the evening he signalled to be taken to the surface. The colliery is 150 fathoms deep, and the cage bearing deceased up the pit-shaft had reached 100 fathoms when, owing to a mishap to the wire rope haulage, the cage and man were dashed to the pit bottom. The work of rescue was commenced immediately, but it was not till Saturday afternoon that the body of Carmichael was recovered. The deceased, who leaves a widow and one child, was the son of the late Mr Robert Carmichael, who was a colliery manager in Cambuslang and in Ayrshire. He came over with the 25th Canadian Battalion and fought to the end of the war, gained the Military Medal and was twice mentioned in dispatches. He was a member of Kilwinning Masonic Lodge No 22. [Scotsman 15 July 1929]

24 October 1929

Killed By A “Roof” Fall - Patrick Casey, mine repairer, employed at Messrs William Baird & Co.'s Bedlay Colliery, North-West Lanarkshire, was yesterday caught in a fall from the roof of the workings. When extricated he was found to be dead, his neck being broken. Casey, an elderly man, belonged to Coatbridge. [Scotsman 25 October 1929]

4 March 1930

While at work in Shawfield Colliery, Law, on Monday, John Smith, Hugomont, Place Waterloo, Wishaw, was so seriously injured by a fall of stone that he died in the Royal Infirmary Glasgow yesterday. [Scotsman 5 March 1930]

2 April 1930

Curious Pit Fatality - A Lithuanian miner named Anthony Ludovicz died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary yesterday, from shocking injuries caused by detonators exploding in his pocket. While working in Shettleston Colliery, he stumbled and fell on the top of the detonators, the explosion of which badly shattered his right leg. [Scotsman 3 April 1930]

14 June 1930

Law Colliery Accident – One Man Killed and Another Injured – A sad colliery accident, resulting in the death of one man and serious injury to another, took place in the Mauldslie Mine of Wilson's & Clyde Coal Company early on Saturday morning last. Robert Sneddon, 45, oncost worker, residing at Waterlands Farm, Law, was instantly killed and Thos. Moffat, colliery fireman, 28 Anstruther Street, Law, was seriously injured. The accident occurred through the breaking of the haulage rope for the hauling of hutches up the mine, thus allowing a rake of four loaded hutches and two empty hutches to run back down the steep gradient of the mine. It appears that while the rake was in process of being taken to the surface, Sneddon and Moffat had gone to examine the roof of the mine. While engaged in this work Moffat states he heard the sound of hutches running at a great speed. At first he thought this was the sound of the rake being drawn rapidly to the surface, but it then flashed upon him that this was the runaway rake coming back. At this time Moffat and the deceased were walking in the narrow space between the side of the mine and the main haulage road, and going in the direction of the surface. When Moffat realised the danger he shouted to Sneddon to cross the haulage road and secure a manhole in which to take shelter, and at the same time he endeavoured to cross over himself. He stumbled and fell against the side of the mine and crawled close to the wall. While lying in this position with his face to the roof the rake went crashing past him at a tremendous speed. Something struck him on the forehead and for a moment he was dazed. Moffat's light had gone out, and he had no means of going in search of his companion. After shouting several times and receiving no answer, he made for the surface of the mine in the dark. When about one hundred yards distant from the mine mouth he became completely exhausted and had to come to a halt. He shouted for assistance and several men came to his aid, taking him to the surface. A search was made and the body of Sneddon was found about 400 yards down the mine and very near to the wrecked hutches. The haulage rope had apparently broken near to the hutches, and it is supposed that it was the portion attached to the rake that struck Moffat as he lay at the side of the mine. The accident caused a painful sensation throughout the district and the deepest sympathy is extended to Mrs Sneddon and other relatives of the deceased. [Hamilton Advertiser June 21 1930]

25 June 1930

Colliery Explosion - Four Miners Injured near Glasgow - By an explosion of gas in a colliery near Glasgow, yesterday afternoon, four miners were seriously injured. They are -

James M'Adam, Main Street, Chryston (head injuries);
Edward Devlin, Winifred Street, Robroyston (severe head injuries);
Robert Cairns, Moss Cottages, Bishopbriggs (injury to right knee); and
John Murray, 128 Dunchattan Street, Glasgow (cut head and injury to side.)

All were removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary and detained, the condition of the first two men being described last night as serious. The scene of the accident was Robroyston colliery, owned by John Watson (Ltd.). The four men were engaged in what is known as the Knightswood section of the workings , preparing for the afternoon shift taking up duty, when without warning a violent explosion occurred. All four were thrown heavily against thesides of the working and in addition to injuries thus caused, all four were slightly scorched by the flames of the explosion. Although the section is an isolated one the noise was heard in other parts of the mine, and workers rushing to the scene found the four men lying on the roadway. Stretchers were secured from the pithead and the injured carried to the shaft and then raised to the surface. There first aid was rendered, after which the men were convoyed by ambulance to the Infirmary. The explosion is believed to be due to an accumulation of gas becoming ignited. Peculiarly enough, apart from the injuries sustained by the men, little or no damage was done to the section, work on which was not interrupted. The afternoon shift took up duty as usual. [Scotsman 26 June 1930]

James McAdams, colliery fireman, died 27 June 1930 in Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

30 August 1930

Fatal Fall Down Shaft - About midday on Saturday William Robertson (21), who resided at Eastmuir, Shettleston, fell from the main coal section down the shaft in No. 3 Shettleston Colliery, Baillieston, a distance of about 300 feet. Robertson was instantly killed. As a mark of respect, miners employed in the pit, which is owned by the Mount Vernon Coal Company, ceased work for the remainder of the day. [Glasgow Herald September 1 1930]

30 August 1930

Colliery Worker's Death - A distressing accident took place on Saturday at Gateside Colliery, Cambuslang. William Arbuckle, 32 Graham's Buildings, Halfway, Cambuslang, was suffocated in a coal gum dump. Arbuckle was engaged alone working at the coal gum when he was missed by a fellow workman, who raised the alarm. A squad of men were despatched to the spot, and the work of search and rescue proceeded with all speed, but it was half an hour before Arbuckle's body was found. It was found that the man was dead. He was 27 years of age and was the sole support of his widowed mother. [Glasgow Herald September 1 1930]

4 September 1930

Cambuslang Miner Injured - When the night shift was at work in the early hours of yesterday in Dechmont Colliery, Cambuslang (owned by Archibald Russell, Ltd.), a large stone fell from the roof, and injured one of the miners, named Robert Welsh, residing at Graham's Square, Halfway, Cambuslang. It took a considerable time to smash the stone sufficiently to enable the man to be taken out. He was unconscious, and suffering from internal injuries, besides having several ribs broken. He was removed to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. [Scotsman 5 September 1930]

17 October 1930

Lanarkshire Pit Fatality - A miner was killed and another injured in a pit accident which occurred yesterday in the Bankend Colliery of the Arden Coal Company (Ltd.), Coalburn , Lanarkshire. The victim was Thomas Robb (40), of Coalburn, who was killed instantaneously, while the injured man is J. Thomson, also of Coalburn . The accident occurred in the Schooner section of the pit, and was due, it is believed, to a fall. Only about half a dozen miners were working in the section at the time and they succeeded in rescuing Thomson from the debris. [Scotsman 18 October 1930]

NB Thomas Robb's brother John was killed at Glespin on 14 January 1934

30 December 1930

Cambuslang Fatality - A fatal accident occurred in a colliery at Cambuslang yesterday, the victim being a miner, Hugh M'Menemy (40) of 22 Park Street, Cambuslang. M'Menemy was struck by a runaway hutch. His injuries were of such a serious nature that a doctor and a Roman. Catholic priest were summoned. After medical treatment M'Menemy was removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he died. [Scotsman 31 December 1930]

19 January 1931

A serious accident took place yesterday in Gateside Colliery, Cambuslang, owned by the Flemington Colliery Co. (Ltd), when a train of hutches loaded with coal broke loose. A miner named John Greenhorn, 13 Colebrooke Street, Cambuslang , who was working in the soft coal section, was caught by the runaway hutches, knocked down, and injured. It was discovered that he had sustained a fracture of the arm, cuts about the forehead, and serious internal injuries. He was removed in an unconscious condition to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. [Scotsman 20 January 1931]

31 January 1931

Motherwell Pit Fatality - A colliery shaftsman, named Robert Paton (35), residing at Baillie's Square, Motherwell, was on Saturday afternoon engaged examining the emergency shaft at Braidhurst Colliery, Motherwell (Summerlee Iron Co., Ltd.), when in some manner or other he lost his balance and fell down the shaft, a distance of several fathoms. Death must have been instantaneous. Paton was a married man, and leaves a widow and a family of two. [Scotsman 2 February 1931]

27 February 1931

Sheriff G W Wilton, KC, Lanark, has just issued his interlocutor in a claim for £300 made by Annie Ritchie or Stein, widow of Andrew Stein a coal miner, residing at Brownlie, Law, Carluke, against the Wilson & Clyde Coal Company, Shawfield Colliery, Law, Carluke. It was stated for the pursuers that her husband, on whom she was entirely dependent, a miner in the employ of the defenders, while working in their Shawfield Colliery, on 19th February 1931, was injured by a piece of "burnt" coal or stone falling on his right forearm, resulting in a severe compound fracture. He was immediately removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he was put under chloroform, and his arm manipulated and cleaned. On 26th February symptoms of pneumonia were discovered, and, on the following day, 27th February, he died. It was urged for the pursuer that the death of her husband was due to septic pneumonia, the pneumonia being caused by his accident at Shawfield Colliery. The defenders maintained, however, that there was no specific proof of the pneumonia being due to any septic condition arising from his injuries or to the operative results. They suggested that the pneumonia was of the lobar or catarrhal kind, and might have been caused by some speck of ward dust. The defenders did not dispute the amount of £300 if found liable in law. Sheriff Wilton, however, found that the pursuer had amply proved her case., and awarded compensation as craved. The wages of the deceased exceeded £2 per week. The sum due for total dependency is therefore £300. [Scotsman 17 December 1931]

28 February 1931

Colliery Fatality - A colliery brusher, Patrick Carroll (45), 131 Tollcross Road, Parkhead, died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary on Saturday from injuries sustained in Broomhouse Colliery, Mount Vernon. He had been struck down by a runaway hutch in the Blackband section and sustained serious internal injuries, death being due to peritonitis. [Scotsman 2 March 1931]

26 March 1931

Second Fatality In Pit Accident - Alexander Ryan, miner, residing at Freeland Place, Kirkintilloch, who was injured in an accident at Auchingeich colliery on Thursday last, when another man was killed, succumbed to his injuries early yesterday morning. Along with Francis M'Manus, Bridgend , Chryston, he was at work in the colliery when a fall from the roof took place. M'Manus was killed instantly, while Ryan received serious internal injuries from crushing , and was taken to the Infirmary. He belonged to Condorrat but recently removed to Kirkintilloch. He leaves a widow. [Scotsman 1 April 1931]

Pit Accident During Inquiry Into Another - While an inquiry into the accident at Auchengeich Colliery, Chryston, Lanarkshire, in which six miners were killed was being held yesterday, a fall of roof occurred in the mine. Francis McManus, of Chryston, was killed, and Alexander Ryan, of Kirkintilloch, injured. Ryan was pinned by a boulder for four hours before he could be released. [The Times 27 March 1931]

19 August 1931

Young Pitworker Killed - Alexander Morrison, 20 years of age, of West Maryston Road, Baillieston, chainer at Cardowan Colliery, Stepps, was fatally injured while at work yesterday. It is believed, that Morrison failed to jump clear of a number of runaway hutches, and was badly crushed. He was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, and died shortly after admission. [Scotsman 20 August 1931]

5 May 1932

Scots Mining Tragedy - Killed While Filling Last Hutch - Charles Mulholland, miner, Condorrat, Croy, was killed by a fall of material from the roof in Auchengeich Colliery, Chryston. Mulholland was filling his last hutch prior to stopping his shift when the fall enveloped him. He was well known as a footballer, playing half-back for Cumbernauld Thistle and formerly Croy Celtic. He was a single man of 28. [Evening Telegraph 5 May 1932]

17 May 1932

Cambuslang Miner Killed - Patrick M'Cafferty, 21 Graham's Building, Halfway , Cambuslang, a miner employed in the Gateside Colliery, was fatally injured while at work yesterday afternoon. He was struck by a fall from the roof of the working and was removed to the Royal Infirmary Glasgow, where he died a few hours later. [Scotsman 18 May 1932]

20 October 1932

Lanarkshire Pit Fatality - A miner was killed and another seriously injured yesterday in Cardowan Colliery, Stepps, near Glasgow, as the result of a fall from the roof. The victim was John Campbell, Anallan Cottage, Easterhouse. His mate, Daniel Hynds, 130 Barrocks Street, Glasgow, is detained in Glasgow Royal Infirmary suffering from leg injuries. A number of men were working in the colliery, which belongs to James Dunlop & Co. (Ltd.), Glasgow when the mishap occurred shortly after one o'clock in the morning. Campbell was operating a. coal cutting machine at the coalface, with Hynds assisting him, when a portion of the roof fell. Campbell was buried in the debris, and succumbed to his injuries a few hours later. Hynds managed to jump partially clear of the fall, and was rescued by his father, who was working in a section nearby. [Scotsman 21 October 1932]

10 December 1932

Pit Fatality At Motherwell - On Saturday morning a fatal accident occurred at Watson's No. 4 Colliery at Motherwell, when a fall from the roof occurred in the ell coal section. While engaged in timbering operations, a middle aged man named William M'Cracken, residing at M'Gregor Street, Shieldmuir, Wishaw, was struck by a fall of stone and so severely injured that he died soon afterwards. Another man, named James Ross (56), residing at 21 Miller Street, Motherwell, was struck by the fall, receiving injuries to the head and face. After being attended by a doctor he was removed home. [Scotsman 12 December 1932]

23 May 1933

Cambuslang Miner Killed - Struck by a runaway hutch in No. 2 section of Gateside Colliery, Cambuslang, yesterday, a miner named Matthew Ward, aged 30 (unmarried), who resided with his widowed mother at 6 Gateside Buildings, Cambuslang, was knocked down and so severely injured that he died while being conveyed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 24 May 1933]

19 and 21 August 1933

Cardowan Pit Tragedies - Fatal Accidents Inquiry at Glasgow - The circumstances surrounding two fatal accidents at Cardowan Colliery, Stepps, were inquired into in the Justiciary Buildings, Glasgow, yesterday . The first fatality occurred on August 19, when a miner was found drowned in a sump. He was James Kirkwood (55), 34 Robertson Crescent, Baillieston, and the jury returned a verdict that he was accidentally killed by falling into the sump, death being due to drowning. In the course of the evidence, the theory was advanced that Kirkwood's cap having fallen into the sump at the bottom of the shaft, he also fell into it in an endeavour to recover his cap. The second inquiry concerned the deaths of three men , James Halliday Matheson, Dungeonhill Cottage , Easterhouse; Robert Brown, 22 Cessnock Road, Millerston; and Thomas Hall, 690 Springfield Road, Glasgow, who were killed by a fall from the roof. James Johnston, Whitehill Avenue, Stepps, the acting manager at the colliery, stated that the three men were employed at the west level, the roof of which was kept up by timber props. Along with the Inspector of Mines, witness found that approximately 20 tons of stone had come away from the roof, and had fallen on the three men. A miner named John Mullan said that he was about three feet away when the roof collapsed. There was no warning, and he did not think the fall could have been prevented. [Scotsman 16 September 1933]

Found Drowned in Pit - A miner, James Kirkwood (53), who resided al 34 Swinton Road, Baillieston, was discovered lying dead in the sump at No. 2 pit of Cardowan Colliery, near Stepps, on Saturday. Kirkwood was employed on the night-shift, and when he failed to signal from the pit bottom, inquiries were made and his body was discovered floating in the sump. [Scotsman 21 August 1933]

Three miners were killed, and three others had remarkable escapes, when a fall occurred in No. 1 section, Cardowan Colliery, Stepps, near Glasgow, yesterday. Eleven persons were killed at Cardowan Colliery last November by an explosion. The colliery is owned by Messrs. James Dunlop and Co., and employs 691 men below ground. [The Times August 22 1933]

14 January 1934

15 March 1934

Miner Fatally Injured at Stepps - Hugh Rice, miner, 77 Beck ford Street, Hamilton, was fatally injured while working at Cardowan Colliery, Stepps, yesterday morning. It is understood that Rice was killed by a fall of stone. [Scotsman 16 March 1934]

20 September 1934, 3 and 9 October 1934

Brothers Killed In Pit - Tragic Coincidence Revealed at Inquiry - The tragic coincidence of the death of two brothers within a few days of each other, from injuries received in different collieries near Glasgow, was revealed at a Fatal Accidents Inquiry in Glasgow yesterday. The brothers were John M'Aloon (28), 8 Springvale Square, Bishopbriggs, and Thomas M'Aloon (39) 57 Mavis Valley, Bishopbriggs. It was stated that the younger brother died on October 3 from injuries received when he was crushed between a waggon and an iron standard at Wester Auchengeich Colliery, Auchinairn. Thomas M'Aloon was fatally injured on October 9 when he was struck on the back by a lump of coal following the firing of a shot in the Garscube Colliery Company's pit, Cadder Road, Glasgow. A formal verdict was returned by the jury in both cases. Inquiry was also made into the death of a third miner, Robert Craig Smart (40), 51 Auchinloch Road, Lenzie, who was crushed by runaway hutches in No. 2 pit, Auchengeich Colliery, on September 20. A formal verdict was returned. [Scotsman 2 November 1934]

4 November 1934

Motherwell Miner Killed In Pit - Robert Gillespie (25), a miner, 11 Draffan Bank, Merry Street, Motherwell, was killed by a fall from the roof in the ell coal section at Shields Colliery, Motherwell, yesterday. His companions, in attempting to extricate him, were hampered and endangered by a subsequent fall of material, but after much work they got him out. He had been killed instantaneously. Gillespie leaves a widow and one child. [Scotsman 5 November 1934]

13 December 1934

Scottish Colliery Accident – Three Men Trapped and Killed in Fire - Three men were trapped and killed in Kingshill Colliery No. 2 at Forth, near Shotts, today, when an electric cable fused and caused afire. The men were :
William Douglas, 30, married, with three children;
Edward Stewart, 28, unmarried; and
James McCallum, 22, unmarried, all of Forth.

The fire occurred between the day-shift and the night-shift, when only six men were working in the section affected. Had it occurred an hour later over 100 men might have been involved.

The Lanarkshire Coalmasters' Rescue Brigade were summoned, and Dr. Reid, of Forth, also descended the pit and took part in the rescue operations. Three of the men escaped, but the others were trapped by the fumes, which were so heavy that the rescuers had to work in gasmasks. The rescue party had to crawl to the danger zone, and their efforts were further hampered by the presence of water, because the pit-bottom was flooded after the fire broke out.

Over four hours elapsed before the bodies, which were lying close to one another, were found, and it was then obvious that the men had died within a few minutes after the start of the fire. They had been seriously burned, but death in each case was apparently due to suffocation. The heat was very great, and as the fire has occurred in a dead end it will probably burn itself out without the necessity for sealing up the mine.

One of the rescue brigade said the heat was so great that the conveyor pans became twisted and started to melt. Even the flood, water, he said, looked as if it were at boiling point. For over 31 hours they had to work their way lying prone with only 27in. of headroom available.

Work has been suspended entirely in the pit pending investigation of the cause of the accident. [The Times 14 December 1934]

5 February 1935

Miner Fatally Injured By Fall From Roof - By a fall of coal from the roof in the Wilson's Mine, Douglas, Lanarkshire, yesterday morning, a young miner, Walter Campbell (23), who resided with his mother at Coalburn, was severely crushed about the back and legs. He was hurriedly conveyed to Douglas Cottage Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries within three hours. [Scotsman 6 February 1935]

21 October 1935

Fatal Pit Accident At Stepps - One man was killed and another was injured by a fall of rock in Cardowan Colliery , Stepps, yesterday morning. The victim was James Douglas, of Burnbank. He was badly crushed about the head. His workmate had a narrow escape from serious injury, and was allowed home after treatment. [Scotsman 22 October 1935]

15 February 1936

15-Year-Old Boy's Fatal Fall Down Mine Shaft – A 15-year-old surface worker was killed on Saturday in the Wilson Mine, Douglas, Lanarkshire. He was James Mitchell, son of Patrick Mitchell, miner, Welldale Crescent, Douglas. He was engaged pushing empty hutches on to a travelling carriage when he evidently miscalculated the position of the carriage. An empty hutch and he both fell down the shaft. His spine was broken, and he lived only a few minutes after being extricated. Mitchell was the youngest of a family of six. [Scotsman 17 February 1936]

27 May 1936

Fatal Pit Accident At Chryston - William Milligan, colliery worker, who resided at Glasgow Road, Mollinsburn, Lanarkshire, died during Wednesday night as the result of injuries received while he was repairing an underground road in the Auchengeich Colliery, Chryston. He had been caught by a hutch and jammed against the workings. Milligan, who was 56 years of age, was a married man. The miners connected with the colliery remained idle yesterday. [Scotsman 29 May 1936]

November 1936

Glasgow Miner Injured - Joseph Divers (52), 1829 Maryhill Road, Glasgow, a miner, was severely injured on Saturday night when he was knocked, down by a tramcar in Maryhill Road. He was removed .to the Western Infirmary, where he was stated yesterday to be fairly comfortable. Divers who has been a miner since he left school, has been involved in three mine accidents. While working in a Maryhill pit some years ago he was involved in an accident, and years later was reported dead in a colliery disaster in Lanarkshire. He was rescued after several days however. He was also badly crushed in a fall of coal in a Lanarkshire pit, which incapacitated him from work for two years. [Scotsman 23 November 1936]

27 November 1936

While at work in the Cardowan Colliery, Stepps, during Friday night, Alexander Cook, aged 46, colliery brusher, 78 Glasgow Road, Blantyre, was fatally injured. A large stone fell upon him. He leaves a widow and family of three. [Scotsman 30 November 1936]

2 December 1936

Three Men Fall Down Pit Shaft - Three workmen were injured in Parkneuk Colliery, Motherwell - owned by the Glasgow Iron and Steel Company (Ltd.) - yesterday, when scaffolding gave way and they were hurled down the shaft. The men were at work 20 feet from the surface, and they fell 25 feet to a safety platform. They were rescued from this precarious situation and taken to the pithead, where they received attention. Later they were taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. The injured are Alexander Ritchie, 59a Urie Place, Calder Street, Motherwell, fractured ankle and shock; Archibald Stewart, 48 Cambusnethan Street, Wishaw, compound fracture of left leg and extensive shock; and Robert Findlay, 276 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, fracture of a rib and shock. [Scotsman 3 December 1936]

31 December 1936

Pit Shot-Firing Tragedy - James Brown, mine-driver, of 4 Belvidere Terrace, Bellshill, was killed during shot-firing operations in the last shift of the year yesterday morning at Parkneuk Colliery, owned by the Glasgow Iron and Steel Company (Ltd.)Motherwell. He had been at work in a mine leading from the Pyotshaw section to the splint coal section and when his absence was noticed workmates went to the coal face in search of him and found him lying dead. He had been killed instantly in the explosion. [Scotsman 1 January 1937]

6 January 1937

Miner Suffocated - Companion Reaches Safety - Cambuslang Colliery - A fireman was found suffocated in Blantyreferme colliery No. 3, Newton, Cambuslang , yesterday morning. He was James Brown, 49 years of age, who resided at 583 Coatbridge Road, Bargeddie, and he leaves a wife and one child. It appears that Brown, who was employed on the back shift, was engaged with one of the foremen erecting a screen in the virgin coal section, when the foreman felt himself being overcome. Both men made a rush for safety. The foreman managed, although nearly overcome, to reach fresher air, but his companion must have collapsed immediately.

Rescue Brigade Recover Body - Desperate efforts were made, as the dayshift men arrived to rescue Brown, but these were frustrated, and an urgent summons was sent for the Miners' Rescue Brigade at Coatbridge. The brigade arrived very quickly, and after descending the mine located Brown, but he was dead. The colliery is owned by A. G. Moore & Co. (Ltd.), and employs about 300 miners. The men remained idle yesterday. [Scotsman 7 January 1937]

13 January 1937

Accident To Mineworker - Early yesterday morning a 16-year-old mineworker, William Hare, who resides with his parents at Hillhead Cottage, Douglas West, Douglas. Lanarkshire, was injured at Douglas Castle Colliery. It appears that he was descending the mine shaft to get to his work when he accidentally fell from the travelling carriage. On examination, Hare was found to have sustained a fracture of the left leg, and had to be conveyed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 14 Jan 1937]

22 January 1937

Fell 1000 Feet Down Pit Shaft - After joking with a fellow-workman at Auchengeich Colliery, Chryston Lanarkshire, where he was on the nightshift, Alexander Lumsden, a pumper, half-turned to leave and inadvertently stepped into the pit shaft. He was hurtled 1000 feet to the bottom, where his badly-mangled body was found. Deceased, who was over 60, resided at Tollcross. Glasgow. He was married. [Evening Telegraph 23 January 1937]

13 February 1937

MINER DIES FROM INJURIES - Pinned Down by Large Stone - William Duffy, a 53-year-old miner, residing at Hillhead, Kirkintilloch, died this morning from injuries received last night when he was pinned down by a large stone which fell on his chest in Messrs James Nimmo & Co.'s Wester Auchengeich Colliery, North-West Lanarkshire. It was some time before the stone could be removed. [Evening Telegraph 13 February 1937]

31 March 1937

Cambuslang Mineworker Killed - Neil M'Inally (57), unmarried, who resided with his sister at 77 Dukes Road, Cambuslang , was killed while at work in Bardykes Colliery, Blantyre, belonging to the Summerlee Iron and Coal Company (Ltd.) yesterday morning. Deceased was at work with a coal-cutting machine at the time and was jammed by the jib, death being instantaneous. [Scotsman 1 April 1937]

14 April 1937

Battery in Safety Lamp Pit - Hamilton Inquiry - An inquiry was held by Sheriff Walker, and a jury at Hamilton yesterday into the death of Edward M'Laughlin, miner, 28 Colebrook Street, Cambuslang, who died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary on April 14 from injuries sustained in an explosion in No. 1 Pit, Gateside Colliery, Cambuslang. John Purdie, colliery manager, 15 Glebe Street, Airdrie, said deceased was employed as a brusher in the Gilbertfield section, and his work involved blasting at the coal-face. The appointed shotfirer was William Crawford , whose duty it was to perform or supervise the stemming of any shot, and to fire the shots. Deceased was working with a man named Hutton, but neither had authority to fire shots. The pit was a safety-lamp pit, and the men were inspected every day to prevent matches being taken into it. Witness said he learned of the accident; and interviewed Hutton, who said he and M'Laughlin were boring holes for shots. Crawford left detonators for the holes and went away, but returned and gave M'Laughlin a dry battery. Hutton saw M'Laughlin tinkering with the ends of the battery, and heard a shot go off. M'Laughlin proceeded to connect up another shot, and while he was doing so, Hutton himself took up the ends of the battery and started to play about with them. There was an explosion, and M'Laughlin was injured. Witness then spoke to Crawford, who said that when he was going to his work-place that day he was handed the battery by the shotfirer of the early shift, who said he found it. He gave the battery to M'Laughlin, with whom he had left a number of shots, and then left the work-place. In reply to the Fiscal, witness said the dry battery (which was produced in Court) was unauthorised, and should not have been in the pit. Shaw, the first shotfirer, should have reported the finding of the battery to the management on finishing his shift. It was also Crawford's duty to do this. Interviewed after the accident Shaw said he had received the battery from a young workman , and had not reported it in order to give the lad a chance. John Goodfellow, miner, 26 Somerville Road, Cambuslang, said on going to his working place the day before the accident he found a dry battery. He was concerned about it, as he considered it to be dangerous in the pit. He gave it to the shotfirer Shaw, who advised him to "get it out of the road, or you'll get us all in jail." Shaw took the battery and witness saw him throw it among the waste. John Hutton, 9 Silverbanks Street, Cambuslang , who was warned by the Sheriff that he need not answer questions unless he wished to, said he and M'Laughlin went into the section. Crawford asked if they would fire the shots, as he had something to do in another mine. Witness and M'Laughlin bored five holes and stemmed three of them. One of the shots was fired. M'Laughlin went into the coal-face to connect a second. Witness heard the cry, "Fire," and, looking round, saw a miner's light down the road. He thought this was M'Laughlin going to safety and fired the shot. After the firing of the shot he saw that the man he thought was M'Laughlin was another workman. He did not realise that M'Laughlin was injured, until told by another workman. John Shaw, colliery shotfirer, 458 Hamilton Road, Halfway, Cambuslang. who was also warned by the Sheriff, said he was handed a dry battery on the day before the accident. He put it aside, and told the backshift fireman about it before he went off duty. He told the backshift fireman if it was his he should get rid of it. After William Crawford, colliery shotfirer, 37 Graham's Buildings, Halfway, Cambuslang , who was also warned by the Sheriff, had given evidence, the Fiscal said that concluded the inquiry. It was apparent that further inquiry would be made by his department , and in all the circumstances he asked that a formal verdict be returned meantime. The jury returned a formal verdict. [Scotsman 14 May 1937]

2 May 1937

Miner's Death After Mishap In Colliery - A Bellshill miner named Alexander Russell (46), who resided at 45 Calder Road, Mossend, died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary yesterday as the result of an accident in Gateside Colliery, near Cambuslang. It appears that Russell, who was employed as a brusher on the night shift, was struck by a large piece of rock which seriously injured his leg. [Scotsman 3 May 1937]

19 June 1937

Another pit fatality occurred in the West of Scotland on Saturday morning, the victim being John Cornelius (36), a motorman, who resided with his parents at 7 Glebe View Terrace, Douglas. Lanarkshire. Cornelius was "benching" an empty hutch at Douglas Castle Colliery when he fell down the mine shaft, a distance .of. Nearly 200 feet, along with the hutch. He was immediately attended to by his fellow workers, and conveyed to the surface, but on being medically examined he was found to be dead, his neck having been dislocated. Cornelius was a well known local musician, and his father is conductor of Douglas District Band. [Scotsman 21 June 1937]

28 June 1937

Burning Blast - Four Miners Injured at Cambuslang - Fire Damp Explosion - Four miners were injured when an explosion of fire-damp occurred yesterday at Coatspark Colliery, Cambuslang. The men, who were about to start work for the day, were in the Kiltongue section of the pit, when there was a sudden flash, followed by a loud report. One man, who was blown against the coal face, had a remarkable escape from injury. The injured men, who were removed by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, were:- Thomas Murray (25), Park Street, Cambuslang (burning injuries to face and arms); Hugh M'Cafferty, Silverbanks, Cambuslang (burning injuries to head and hands); Andrew Mair, 29 Colebrook Street, Cambuslang (burning injuries to head, arms, and legs); and John Thomson, Bothwell Street, Cambuslang (slight burns to face), who was allowed home after treatment.

Equipped With Safety Lamps - The accident occurred at 7 o'clock in the morning, when the men were about to commence work. They had been equipped with electric safety lamps and had just entered their section when there was a sudden flash and a loud report. Fortunately, there were only five men in the section at the time. One of the men stated after, the accident that it was so sudden they had no time to throw themselves on their faces to avoid the deadly effects of the firedamp. Four of them were blown off their feet by a burning blast of wind, and they suffered severe pain. For a moment or two they were afraid that the explosion might be followed by a second. Only one man out of the five in the section escaped injury. He was James Armstrong, Bothwell Street, Cambuslang, and when the explosion occurred he was blown against the coal face. Miners in other sections rushed to the scene following the accident, and the injured were carried out of the danger zone. After they had been bandaged and saturated in oil underground they were removed to the surface. The manager of the mine, Mr. Andrew Burnett, and the fireman, Alexander Paton, hurried to the affected area, and made an inspection of the section. A rumour circulated in the Cambuslang district that four miners had been killed, and a large crowd of relatives of men employed at Coatspark gathered at the pithead. About 100 miners are employed at the colliery, which is situated between Cambuslang and Burnside, and is owned by the Flemington Coal Company (Ltd.) The mine is a surface one, which means that it is worked by electric haulage by a sloping descent of 1000 feet while the actual depth of the mine is about 340 feet. [Scotsman 29 June 1937]

1 July 1937

Glasgow Miner Fatally Injured - Matthew Reid (20), 23 Stoneyhurst Street, Glasgow, was fatally injured while at work yesterday in Garscube Colliery, Maryhill, Glasgow. He was crushed by a runaway hutch, and died while being conveyed to the Western Infirmary. [Scotsman 2 July 1937]

2 August 1937

Parkneuk Colliery Accident - A Motherwell man, Archie Smith, residing at 14 Thorn Street, was removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary yesterday suffering from leg injuries. It appears that Smith, who is employed at the Parkneuk Colliery (Glasgow Iron and Steel Company, Ltd.), was dragged for some distance by a rake of hutches. After being medically examined he was removed home but was later removed for X-ray examination to the Infirmary, where he was detained. [Scotsman 3 August 1937]

4 August 1937

Tragic Discovery In Office of Disused Mine - A tragic discovery was made last night in the colliery offices at the disused mine of the Spalehall Coal Company at Newarthill, near Motherwell. The report of an explosion was heard issuing from the office, which is a small wooden erection, and a blacksmith named William Houston, on going to investigate, found a director of the firm, Mr James Loudon, lying on the floor suffering from grave injuries to head and body. On examination , Loudon was found to be dead. The dead man was alone in the office at the time. The cause of the explosion is meantime unknown, but police investigations are proceeding. Loudon was a man of about 65 years of age, and resided at Benford, Carfin Road, Newarthill, near Motherwell. [Scotsman 5 August 1937]

12 October 1937

Miner Killed By Roof Fall - Yesterday a fall from the roof took place in Gateside Colliery, Cambuslang, owned by the Flemington Coal Co. (Ltd.), which caught a miner, Joseph Johnstone (29), who was working on the night shift. He was extricated, but was found to be dead. His back had been broken. [Scotsman 13 October 1937]

8 November 1937

Three Cambuslang Miners Injured - Three miners were injured yesterday at Gateside Colliery, Cambuslang, when the coal-face, burst out and partially buried them. They were:- Thomas Hobbs, 197 Hamilton Road, Halfway; George M'Ginty32 Glasgow Road; and Charles Boles, Bothwell Street. The men, who are employed as machine-run gummers were working, on the night shift in the Virtue Well section of the mine, owned by the Flemington Coal Co. (Ltd.). When the accident happened they were immediately extricated by miners in the vicinity and taken to the surface. After attention by a doctor at the surface, they were taken home in an ambulance waggon. [Scotsman 9 November 1937]

15 December 1937

Accident At Cambuslang - Wm. Russell (17), Graham's Buildings, Halfway, Cambuslang, a motorman employed a Gateside Colliery, Cambuslang, was yesterday knocked down by a runaway hutch and carried several yards before he was thrown clear. He received serious internal injuries, and was conveyed to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 16 December 1937]

27 December 1937

Miner Injured In Pit Accident - While at work underground in Kennox Colliery , Douglas (Lanarkshire), a miner, Alexander Gladstone (50) , who resides at 83 Main Street, Douglas, was crushed between a runaway hutch and the mine roof. He sustained a fracture of the left leg and severe body bruises, and was conveyed to a Glasgow infirmary. [Scotsman 28 December 1937]

18 February 1938

Chryston Pit Fatality - Thomas M'Kean, coalcutting machineman, who resided at Bridgend Square, Chryston, was fatally injured in an accident in Auchengeich Colliery, Chryston. He was attending a machine when a large boulder fell from the roof of the underground workings and struck him. [Scotsman 19 February 1938]

1 March 1938

Mineworker Killed - David Tweedie Moffat, aged 23, was fatally injured in Castle Colliery, Douglas, Lanarkshire, on Tuesday night. He was pushing a hutch of coal to the shaft when he failed to observe that the conveying carriage was not in position Both he and the hutch fell down the shaft, a distance of nearly 150 feet. Moffat, who had only recently become a mineworker having been at farm work tor some time, lived with his parents at 39 Castle Terrace Douglas West. [Scotsman 3 March 1938]

11 March 1938

Two Miners Killed - Woman Doctor's Aid for Injured in Pit- A woman doctor displayed great courage today when she descended a pit at the Newton Colliery, near Cambuslang, where two miners were killed and two injured, apparently by a charge of electricity.

The names of the dead are: Miles McCue of Dukes Road Cambuslang, and D Jones of Ferniegair The injured, who were taken to their homes, are Manuel Wilson, of Newton, and D Bell of Blantyre.

Jones was drawing pans of coal when he gave a shout and fell. McCue ran to his assistance, but also collapsed. Wilson then attempted to switch off the electric current but received a severe shock and was temporarily paralysed. Bell, who went to assist his mate, also collapsed. Wilsons step-father, Nicholas Henshaw, then knocked off the switch with a piece of wood, and later the main switch was turned off. Among the first to arrive at the colliery was Dr Anne Mitchell. She descended the pit and applied artificial respiration to the men for a considerable time. She was followed to the coal face by the Rev. M O'Sullivan, who administered the last rites of the Roman Catholic Church to McCue. [Times 12 March 1938]

7 June 1938

Colliery Bing Mishap - Tipper Falls on Two Men, Injuring One Fatally - Injuries, to which he later succumbed, were sustained by a Motherwell miner, while his workmate was also injured, in an accident at Broomside Colliery, Motherwell, belonging to the Glasgow Iron Company. The two men - Thomas Hamilton,who resided at 62 Woodburn Street, Motherwell, and John Stannage, 56 Argyle Street Motherwell - were employed on the colliery bing and were moving forward a tipper which is used for emptying refuse from waggons on to the bing. The tipper was being raised by means of a jack when it over-balanced and fell upon the two men. Hamilton sustained severe head and chest injuries, and Stannage injuries to his back. Both men were taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. where Hamilton died later. [Scotsman 8 June 1938]

18 July 1938

Falling Stone Causes Miner's Death - The holiday fervour of miners in Motherwell and Bellshill was marred by the tragic death yesterday of Alexander Fisher (56), 39 M'Culloch Avenue, Fallside. Fisher who was employed as a coal-cutting machineman in Parkneuk Colliery. Motherwell was seriously injured last Wednesday when he was struck on the head by a stone which fell from the roof where he was working. First-aid was rendered at the scene of the accident, after which the injured man was carried for a mile to the pit bottom, and then raised to the surface, where he received attention before being removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. On examination it was found that Fisher had sustained a fracture of the skull. He hardly regained consciousness, and passed away yesterday. [Scotsman 19 July 1938]

26 July 1938

Fatal Accident At Colliery - An accident occurred at Bedlay Colliery, North-west Lanarkshire, yesterday, resulting in fatal injuries to Archibald Batchelor, pithead worker, Annathill Terrace, Bedlay. Batchelor had been working near the screening plant when his clothing became caught, and he was dragged into the machinery. He received severe leg and rib injuries. Batchelor, a married man, leaves a young family. [Scotsman 27 July 1938]

5 August 1938

Three Injured In Pit Accident - Three men working in the splint coal section on the night-shift at Gateside No. 1 Colliery, Cambuslang, early yesterday morning had a narrow escape from serious injury when they were caught in a fall from the coal face and partially buried. They were John Shaw, 458 Hamilton Road, Flemington, Cambuslang; William Stevenson, 25 Muirbank Avenue, Rutherglen; and William Whitting, Westmuir Place, Rutherglen. The injured men were removed to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. Stevenson was able to leave the institution after his injuries had been dressed, but Whitting, who is seriously injured about the head and arms, and Shaw, with injuries to his left arm, were detained for treatment. The colliery employs 400 men, and is owned by the Flemington Coal Company, Ltd., and was working as usual yesterday morning. [Scotsman 6 August 1938]

Shot Firer's Error In Darkness - Connecting in error the wrong cable in the gloom of the pit, John Shaw, colliery fireman, 458 Hamilton Road, Halfway, Cambuslang, fired a shot in Gateside Colliery No. 1 Pit, Cambuslang, which was only ten yards from him and two other workmen. Shaw and the two workmen were injured by falling debris. There was a sequel at Hamilton Sheriff Court yesterday when Shaw was fined £3, with the alternative of 15 days imprisonment, for contravening the Coal Mines Regulations by using a cable less than 20 yards in length while firing a shot. Mr Stanley Bowen, Fiscal Depute, described it as a serious mistake by Shaw, probably caused because he was working in the darkness. Mr Robert Orr, solicitor, Hamilton, said it was obviously a mistake, for it would have been folly for Shaw to fire a shot so near to him. Sheriff Brown said it was not one of those cases where the fireman had acted because he was anxious to save himself trouble. It was not a deliberate contravention, and he therefore imposed a modified fine. [Scotsman 22 November 1938]

10 October 1938

Workman Who Was Suffocated in a Hopper - After inquiring into the death of a young brickworker who was suffocated in several feet of blaes in a large hopper, a jury at a Hamilton Fatal Accident Inquiry yesterday delivered a formal verdict, and added a rider that, if possible, means should be devised to make it unnecessary for brick-workers to enter hoppers in the course of their employment, The inquiry was into the death of Peter M'Guire M'Dermott (21), of 169 Stonefield Road, Blantyre, and the accident occurred at the brickworks at Blantyreferme Colliery, Cambuslang, on October 10. John Gibb, manager of the brickwork, said this was the first accident of its kind there. The accident was a mystery, and it looked as if M'Dermott had gone into the hopper and slipped down into the blaes. Precautions had since been taken to prevent a recurrence of. this type of accident, and safety belts had been introduced. In answer to Sheriff Brown, witness admitted that employees had to go into the hopper in the course of their duties. His Lordship commented that this was a dangerous operation, and suggested to the jury the rider already given. [Scotsman 25 November 1938]

31 March 1939

Motherwell Miner Fatally Injured - A miner named James Grier (26), 6 Milnwood Drive, Motherwell, received fatal head injuries yesterday afternoon while at work in the blackband coal section of Parkneuk Colliery, (Glasgow Iron and Steel Co.), Motherwell. He had evidently been run down by a hutch half a mile west of the pit bottom. He died last night in Glasgow Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 1 April 1939]

13 September 1939

Killed By Roof Fall In Mine - While at work in Douglas Colliery, Douglas Water, Lanark Alexander Brown (39), was caught by a heavy roof fall in the workings and killed instantly. Brown lived with his parents at 13 Welsh Street, Douglas Water. [Scotsman 14 September 1939]

15 October 1939

Glassford Miner Killed - Robert Dunn (40). brusher, 34 Miller Street, Glassford. near Strathaven, was killed outright and Bernard Docherty (48), 47 Clyde Street Newton, was severely injured as the result of an accident at Newton Colliery, Cambuslang, yesterday afternoon. The men were stripping the coal face in the L Section at Hallside Mine when a large rock fell, and Dunn was pinned against a pit prop, receiving head injuries which killed him instantly.  Docherty was struck by filling debris, and received injuries to his head, left foot, and left shoulder. Men working nearby, hearing Docherty's shouts, ran to the scene and speedily extricated both men. [Glasgow Herald 16 October 1939]

26 January 1940

Pit Fatality - A miner, Patrick Bagan, while working on the back shift in Gateside Colliery No. 2, Cambuslang, was killed instantaneously by a fall from the roof. Deceased, who resided at 17 Watson Street, High Blantyre, was 47 years of age, and leaves a widow and ' a family of five. [Scotsman 29 January 1940]

13 March 1940

12 April 1940

Fatal Accident in Colliery At Cambuslang - Robert Broadley (38), a miner, of 6 Bain Street, Cambuslang, received fatal injuries in Gateside Colliery, Cambuslang, about midnight on Friday. It appears that he and two other men were overtaken by a team of empty hutches which crashed into them while they were walking to the pit bottom after completing their shift. The other men were slightly injured. Broadley leaves a widow and a family of six. [Scotsman 15 April 1940]

20 May 1940

Pit Fatality - Gavin Love (32), 13 First Avenue, Auchinloch, Lenzie, was the victim of a fatal accident yesterday at Wester Auchengeich Colliery, Bishopbriggs. Love, who was employed as a brusher, was caught by a fall of stone. He was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow in an ambulance waggon, but died just as he reached the Infirmary. He leaves a wife and young child. [Scotsman 21 May 1940]

14 June 1940

Miner’s Death Inquiry - How a miner had mistaken his way underground and lost his life through gas poisoning in a disused working was told at a Fatal Accidents Inquiry in Glasgow yesterday. The victim was Thomas Russell (30), 14 Waverley Street, Burnbank, and he had been employed at No. 1 Pit Cardowan Colliery, Stepps. It was stated by the under manager that Russell had been instructed to proceed to the west section for stand-by duty at a pumping unit there. Russell had never been there before, and he had to travel about a mile to reach the pump. Witness gave him directions, and he appeared to understand them. Russell's body was found several hours later in what was known as the "Old Mine Road." This was a section of the pit which had been disused for months, and the entrance to it was fenced and marked “no road.” It was dangerous so far as ventilation was concerned. When witness was called to the scene he found that a part of the fence had been removed. Russell' s body was lying about 30 yards beyond the fence, and his electric lamp lay burning beside him. One of the men crawled through, but had to retire, being almost overcome by gas. Eventually three men made a dash to the spot and brought out the body. Witness could only conclude that Russell had mistaken the way. A formal verdict of “Death by coal-gas poisoning” was returned. [Scotsman 19 July 1940]

4 July 1940

Cambuslang Man Killed In South Africa - Intimation has been received in Cambuslang that Mr Robert Lewis, who left the Newton district of Cambuslang fully 20 years ago, has been killed in a colliery in South Africa. After spending five years in mines in India he went to South Africa, where he has held managerships in two different collieries. On July 4 he was fatally injured by a fall from the roof of the colliery. He was 54 years of age. [Scotsman 21 August 1940]

19 August 1940

Killed At Coal Face - John Reilly, widower, about 60 years of age, who lived at Crow Wood Road, Muirhead, Lanarkshire, was killed yesterday while at work in Auchengeich Colliery, Bridgend, Chryston. He had been employed at the coal face when a fall of material from the roof enveloped him. He was dead when extricated. [Scotsman 20 August 1940]

28 September 1940

Fatal Accident. - For a few months Douglas has been free from fatal accidents, but on Saturday morning a wave of sympathy swept over the district when it became known that a miner had been killed in the Glebe Colliery, Douglas. The unfortunate man was James Telfer (44) who resided at Hillside Place, Douglas, who, while at work underground, was almost instantly killed by a fall of coal. Mr Telfer was one of a well-known Douglas family and was held in high esteem. He was well-known amongst cage bird enthusiasts, having won many awards at shows with his British and Foreign bird exhibits. He leaves a widow and two young children to mourn his loss. Some years ago his brother lost his life in the Glebe Colliery. There was a large concourse of mourners at the funeral on Tuesday afternoon. The management of the Glebe Colliery were represented, and a large number of his fellow employees were also present, special arrangements having been made to make this possible. An impressive gesture was the presence of representatives of visiting soldiers who marched at the head of the cortege carrying a beautiful wreath which was deposited with other floral tributes on the grave. [Muirkirk Advertiser 3 October 1940]

11 October 1940

Colliery Accident - Three men, Gavin Lang, manager of the colliery, David Beck, and James Menzies were buried by a fall of coal from the roof while underground at Kames Colliery on Friday morning. It was about an hour later when they were extricated but, happily, there were no serious injuries. Mr Lang sustained facial injuries, and the others escaped with bruises. [Muirkirk Advertiser 17 October 1940]

6 November 1940

Pit Fatality - While employed at No. 2 pit, Auchengeich Colliery, Chryston, James Gallacher (60), miner, residing at Farm Cottages, Condorrat, was caught by a fall of stone. He received severe bodily injuries and was removed to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, where he died. [Scotsman 7 November 1940]

16 January 1941

Drowned In Mine. - A peculiarly sad accident took place at Douglas Castle Colliery on Thursday morning. It seems that two men were engaged “redding up” a heading, and a sudden inrush of water from an adjoining heading occurred. As a sad consequence Robert Russell (34), miner, who resided at 61 Ayr Road, Douglas, was almost instantly drowned. Russell, although not a native of Douglas, had resided here for several years, and was a married man with a family of five young children. A very sad fact was that his wife, a Douglas woman, gave birth to a baby only, a few days before this mishap. At the funeral on Saturday members of the Observer Corps, of which Russell was an active member, turned out and marched at the side of the hearse, and carried the coffin to the graveside. Fellow workers and the mine management attended the funeral. [Muirkirk Advertiser 23 January 1941]

11 February 1941

24 February 1941

29 June 1942

While engaged at work underground at Wester Auchengeich Colliery near Bishopbriggs, yesterday, Patrick Bonnar (42), 65 Johnstone Street, Airdrie, and John Jackson (21), 9 Millersheugh Crescent, Larkhall, were caught by a runaway hutch on the main haulage road. Bonnar was instantaneously killed, while Jackson suffered severe body injuries, and was removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 30 June 1942]

18 August 1942

Robert M’Laren (29), miner’s drawer, 244 Balmuildy Road, Bishopbriggs, was killed by a fall from the roof at No. 2 Pit, Wester Gartshore Colliery, Kirkintilloch, yesterday. [Scotsman 19 August 1942]

6 November 1942

Miner Killed By Falling Stone - James Grant, colliery machineman, was working a coalcutter in Bedlay Colliery, north-west Lanarkshire, to day, when a large stone fell and killed him instantly. Deceased, who resided at Annathill, was 41 years of age and leaves a widow and nine children. [Evening Telegraph 6 November 1942]

23 October 1943

William M'Pheat (50), colliery electrician, was knocked down on Saturday by an engine at Bardykes Colliery, Cambuslang, and died shortly after the accident. Deceased resided at 111 Main Street, Cambuslang. [Scotsman 25 October 1943]

23 November 1943

Pit Fatality. - Thomas Moore (57), underground fireman, was struck by a lump of clay which fell from the roof of the workings in Castlecary fireclay pit and was pinned down to the ground. He succumbed a few hours after being extricated. [Evening Telegraph 24 November 1943]

16 March 1944

Miner Killed - Rhoderick Preston (60). brusher, of Baillieston, was fatally injured in Bedlay Colliery, Lanarkshire, last night, and the miners are idle to-day He was caught by a runaway hutch. [Evening Telegraph 17 March 1944]

17 June 1945

Forth - Miner Killed in Pit- Thomas Nelson (54) 45 Lansdowne Crescent, Springhill, Shotts, a brusher at No 2 Colliery, Climpy, Forth, was killed in the course of his work on Sunday afternoon. [Hamilton Advertiser 23 June 1945]

6 October 1945

Lesmahagow - Colliery Fatality - Last Saturday morning James Johnstone, Strathaven Road, an underground repairer, was buried by a heavy roof fall in Auchlochan No 2 Mine. Rescue workers were quickly on the scene, but it was a considerable time before he could be extricated. Medical aid was at hand but life was found to be extinct. Johnstone was 50 years of age. His father, Walter Johnstone was killed in a colliery accident in Auchenbegg Pit many years ago. [Hamilton Advertiser 13 October 1945]

[NB Walter Johnstone died 24 November 1913]