I attended the memorial service for the centenary of the Quintinshill Rail Disaster at Larbert Station on Thursday evening. Quintinshill was by far the worst rail disaster in British history but had become somewhat forgotten in the mists of time. In fact, I knew about it originally as one of our local councillors, Billy Buchanan (a keen local historian), arranged some years ago to have a plaque installed at Larbert Station.
The disaster involved mainly Royal Scots soldiers who were travelling from Larbert to Liverpool en route to the battle at Gallipoli. A series of mistakes by signalmen in the Scottish borders caused three trains to collide in the early hours of 22nd May 1915. The gas lighting on the troop carriages ensured that the deaths and injuries in the ensuing fire were both extensive and horrific. I’ve actually made the train journey between Larbert and Liverpool on many occasions and given that my grandfather fought and was wounded at Gallipoli the disaster has always had a certain resonance with me.
The service in the car park involved a parade from a local church and a formal remembrance service at the station. Although this was a civil disaster the loss of life of 226 and a further 246 injuries were predominantly amongst the Royal Scots.
The disaster has now fallen from living memory – as has much of the First World War. However, I think it is important that events like these should make the journey from living memory to living history and this service, although solemn, is a positive step in that direction. Given the vast improvement in rail safety over the years, Quintinshill is likely to remain Britain’s worst ever rail disaster.
I attended the memorial service for the centenary of the Quintinshill Rail Disaster at Larbert Station on Thursday evening. Quintinshill was by far the worst rail disaster in British history but had become somewhat forgotten in the mists of time. In fact, I knew about it originally as one of our local councillors, Billy Buchanan (a keen local historian), arranged some years ago to have a plaque installed at Larbert Station.
The service in the car park involved a parade from a local church and a formal remembrance service at the station. Although this was a civil disaster the loss of life of 226 and a further 246 injuries were predominantly amongst the Royal Scots.
The disaster has now fallen from living memory – as has much of the First World War. However, I think it is important that events like these should make the journey from living memory to living history and this service, although solemn, is a positive step in that direction. Given the vast improvement in rail safety over the years, Quintinshill is likely to remain Britain’s worst ever rail disaster.
No comments:
Post a Comment