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Full Details

Surname
GILCHRIST
Forename
Alex.
Day
13
Month
06
Year
1927
Age
40
Occupation
Fireman
Mine/Quarry Name
Thankerton, No.4 Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
McAndrew & Co. Ltd
Location
Holytown
County
Lanarkshire
Details of Event
13 June 1927: Holytown Man's Tragic Death – Thankerton Pit Fatality – Whilst engaged in his duties at No.4 Thankerton pit on Monday afternoon, Mr Alex. Gilchrist of Sunnyside Avenue, Holytown, sustained injuries which proved fatal. One of the accounts of the accident is that several men had been engaged in propping up a wall of stone to allow coal to be removed, when, unaccountably, a corner of the wall gave way and Mr Gilchrist was pinned beneath a portion of the wall. When he had been removed it was found he was badly injured. He was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary where he died about 3am on Tuesday morning. Mr Alex Gilchrist was a popular and worthy personage of our village. His life was essentially the quite dignified life of domestic interest. As a capable fireman he was widely known, having been introduced to mining in his early years and having through his colliery experiences the unqualified admiration and respect of management and men. In his youth “Alec” was associated with the “Old United” in its successful footballing days. But the greatest interest of his life were his children, of whom there are seven left to guard his memory. Recently he had removed from Main Street to his home in the new housing scheme, and his garden was indeed a pleasurable hobby to him. He is a son of Mr and Mrs John Gilchrist of Main Street. To his widow and family the community generally offers sincere sympathies and condolences, which are further extended to his parents and brothers and sisters. His fellow workers and townspeople also feel keenly the removal of one so widely, if quietly, appreciated. He would be about 40 years of age. Local Notes – The funeral of Mr Alex Gilchrist of Sunnyside Avenue, was one of the most impressive ones seen in Holytown for many years. As it passed to Holytown Church Cemetery on Thursday afternoon there were numerous indications of deep feeling and reverence. Many workmen were present with townspeople and friends. [Hamilton Advertiser 18 June 1927]