New Search

Return to Search Results

Full Details

Surname
DAVIDSON
Forename
Henry
Day
02
Month
10
Year
1936
Age
55
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Herbertshire, Woodyett Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Robert Addie & Sons Collieries Ltd
Location
Denny
County
Stirlingshire
Details of Event
2 October 1936: Denny Pit Explosion - Three Men in Hospital – Burning Injuries - Three men sustained severe burning injuries, and three others suffered from shock and the effects of gas fumes, as the result of an explosion early yesterday in Woodyett Pit of the Herbertshire Colliery, Denny, Stirlingshire, owned by Wilson & Clyde Coal Co. The injured are Henry Davidson, miner, Church Place, Bellshill; John M'Master, drawer, 113 Stirling Street, Denny, formerly of Bellshill; and William M'Nairn, brusher, 23 Glasgow Road, Dennyloanhead. Davidson and M'Master were removed to Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary, and M'Nairn, who was less seriously injured, to Denny Cottage hospital. The other men involved were Thomas Gillon senior, and Thomas Gillon, junior, brushers, Kerr Crescent, Banknock, and William Turnbull, fireman, 13 Stirling Street, Denny. The explosion occurred in the No.1 bench of the south dook of the pit, immediately following shot-firing operations. The brushers were sitting taking their piece. There was a sudden blast of coal dust, followed by a strong current of hot air. Some of the men were blown several yards and losing their lamps were left in darkness. Although badly burned about the head, M'Nairn was able to make his way to a telephone and raise the alarm. Turnbull who was in charge of the shift, and was firing the shots on the level road some distance away from where the other men were, stated in an interview that his first indication that something was wrong was the reversal of the air current. He also heard a shout coming from the direction of where the other men were, and on making his way there found this part of the pit filled with dust and fumes. All the other men had gone with the exception of Davidson, whom he found lying in a weak state in the centre of the road. With great difficulty he managed to drag the injured man to a point about 30 yards away, where he found the air was purer. Being on the point of collapse, Turnbull left Davidson there and scrambled up the incline where he got two men to go to Davidson' s assistance. [Scotsman 3 October 1936] Denny Pit Explosion – Injured Man Succumbs - Henry Davidson, Churchside Place, Bellshill, one of the six men injured in the explosion which occurred in Woodyett Pitt, Denny, on Friday died from his injuries in Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary on Saturday morning. Davidson was seriously burned about the body and arms, and also suffered internally from the effects of gas fumes. Deceased was married, was about 55 years of age, and had started work in the pit only a few days previous to the accident. John M'Master, 113 Stirling Street . Denny, another of the men injured in the explosion is reported as being still very ill. The other men involved are making satisfactory progress . [Scotsman 5 October 1936] Second Death In Denny Pit Explosion - A second death occurred yesterday as a result of the explosion which occurred in Woodyett Pit of the Herbertshire Colliery, Denny, a fortnight ago. John M'Master, aged 22, 113 Stirling Street, Denny, dying in Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary. Six men were injured, and one of them-died on the day following the explosion. M'Master, a native of Bellshill district took up residence in Denny recently. Besides sustaining severe burning injuries, he also suffered from the effects of poisonous fumes. [Scotsman 16 October 1936]