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Full Details

Surname
GOLDIE
Forename
Hugh
Day
25
Month
12
Year
1932
Age
23
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Fauldhead, No.1 Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Bairds & Scottish Steel Ltd
Location
Kirkconnel
County
Dumfriesshire
Details of Event
25 December 1932: Kirkconnel Colliery Fatality - Young Man Killed on Christmas Night - A most distressing fatality occurred in No.1 Fauldhead Pit, Kirkconnel, on Sunday night, whereby a young miner, Hugh Goudie, aged 23 years, who resided with his parents at 15 Riverside Terrace, Kellobank, was killed by a large stone weighing about three tons which fell from the roof. The fatality is all the more distressing, coming at a time when people in general were enjoying and celebrating the Christmas festival. The unfortunate youth was employed in a coal-cutting machine squad, which operates the conveyers or pan runs in the section known as Young's Dook. This party descended the shaft at eight o'clock on Sunday night, and had just started their work when the accident occurred. Their duties consisted of cutting coal for the night shift to fill, and Goudie had proceeded to the end of the run and had just set the jigger working. This was jammed to the roof with two props or supports. It is supposed that one of these supports slipped or gave way, causing the stone to fall. The accident was discovered by the machineman, David Roy, who had proceeded to the end of the run, probably to ascertain what was delaying Goudie. He discovered the fall, but saw no sign of his comrade. The alarm was given, and soon men were working in feverish haste to secure the release of the unfortunate man. This was accomplished after some time and considerable labour, but he was dead. Death must have been instantaneous considering the nature of his injuries. News spread quickly throughout the village, and, instead of going to bed, the people gathered together in groups within the colliery grounds and elsewhere in the village anxiously awaiting the news, hoping for the best but fearing the worst. Their worst fears were realised, and after midnight the body was reverently conveyed to his home in the colliery ambulance. Long after that hour people could be seen hanging about discussing the latest village tragedy. Hugh Goudie was a splendid type of young manhood, and his sudden call is regretted by all sections of the community. He attended the communion service in Kirkconnel Parish Church on Sunday forenoon, and was to have been best man at a brother's wedding on Friday evening. He was one of a large family, and was a great help to his parents. His father has been off work for several years through a colliery accident, and may not be able to resume again. Out of respect for their comrade the miners did not go to work on Monday, and the pits were accordingly idle. The funeral takes place to Kirkconnel Cemetery this afternoon. [Dumfries and Galloway Standard 28 December 1932]