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Full Details

Surname
FLEMING
Forename
John
Day
21
Month
06
Year
1938
Age
43
Occupation
Shot Firer
Mine/Quarry Name
Cronberry Moor
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Bairds & Dalmellington Ltd
Location
Auchinleck
County
Ayrshire
Details of Event
21 June 1938: Shot-Firer Succumbs to Burning Injuries - In the early hours of yesterday morning, John Fleming (43), Craigston Holm, Lugar, died in Ayr County Hospital as the result of burning injuries sustained the previous day during his employment as shot-firer in Cronberry Moor Pit, Lugar. Fleming had lit the fuse prior to firing a shot, and it is presumed that a spark from the fuse set fire to his clothing. He was extensively burned about the lower part of the body. He leaves a widow and two children. [Scotsman 22 June 1938] Heroism In Pit - Men Go to Rescue Despite Explosion Warning - Ayrshire Accident - A dramatic story of valour in an Ayrshire colliery accident was revealed to Sheriff Menzies, and a jury in Ayr Sheriff Court yesterday, when an inquiry was conducted into the death of a miner. The victim of the accident was John Fleming (43), colliery repairer, 17 Craigstonholm Row, Lugar, Ayrshire. Working in Cronberry Moor Pit, Fleming, had his clothing set on fire from a spark from a flue. Although he must have been suffering intense pain, he had the presence of mind to warn workmates who went to his aid that he had lighted a fuse which had not exploded. Despite the warning, three of his colleagues remained by him. They stripped off his clothes, and began to lead him away. They had gone only a few feet when the fuse exploded. Fortunately, none of the men were injured. Fleming, however, died in hospital on the following day, as a result of the burns. The three workmates who went to his assistance were- John Stark (36), 442 Brick Row, Lugar; Michael Murray M'Cormick (24), 118 Peesweep Row, Lugar, and James Climie, jun. (37), 400 Brick Row, Lugar. In Court, Mr George Hoyle. Glasgow, H.M. Inspector of Mines for the West of Scotland, expressed his appreciation of the action of deceased and his colleagues, as also did the Sheriff. The jury, added a rider to their formal verdict commending the action of all the miners concerned. [Scotsman 23 July 1938]