Single Record

Full Details

Surname

SINCLAIR

Forename

David

Day

05

Month

01

Year

1931

Age

Occupation

Oversman

Mine/Quarry Name

Lindsay

Mineral Worked

Coal

Owner

Fife Coal Co. Ltd

Location

Kelty

County

Fifeshire

Details of Event

5 January 1931: Death of Well-Known Kelty Man - Fatal Burning Injuries - Result of Gas Explosion - Mr David Sinclair, William Terrace, Kelty, while at his usual employment as night shift oversman in the Lindsay Pit, Kelty, met with a most serious burning accident in the early hours of last Friday evening. It appears that he had been making an examination of a fall in the Dunfermline Splint Section preparatory to having arrangements made to have the road cleared for resumption of work on Friday morning when an explosion of gas took place, causing serious burning to the head and arms. He was conveyed with all speed to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital, but while everything possible was done to alleviate his suffering, he died at 2 o'clock on Sunday morning. Accompanying “Davie” was Mr Barnard, who escaped with slight injury. Mr David Sinclair, was one of Kelty's best known and highly respected citizens, and it would seem almost impossible to enumerate his many connections to the life of Kelty. One of his lifelong connections, and one which will live for many years in the memories of the inhabitants, is the service he has rendered to the Kelty children's gala and the Kelty old folk's summer and Christmas treats. He has been connected with both since their inception, and for many years was secretary for each. He was for many years a representative from Kelty on the Beath Parish Council, and for a period of years was chairman of the Ambulance Waggon Association. He had been secretary of the Gardener's Society for a long period, and was secretary to the Co-operative Educational Committee. He was also secretary to the Saturday evening entertainments committee some years ago, which provided Saturday evening concerts at most reasonable prices. These concerts were kept up every winter until the Gothenburg Hall was opened. He met with a serious accident two years ago, when seven or eight men were hurt owing to some defect in the electric wind, which caused the cage to dash to the pit bottom. As will be seen from another column he was present at the Co-operative choir social on Thursday evening. He was called on and gave a song previous to his departure for his work. Some of the company, including Mrs Sinclair, tried to persuade him to remain and enjoy himself, but he had said he would be at his work, and, true to his word, left the social and ran to the pit so that it would be no fault of his if the men did not resume work on Friday morning. The funeral took place on Tuesday. The Masons, of which he was a member, were present, along with deputations from the schools etc. Kelty for a long time will miss “Davie” Sinclair. He helped to organise more benefit concerts than any individual member of the community. He was a fearless speaker and one of the best at exposing deception. Much sympathy is felt for his widow and grown-up family in their bereavement. [Dunfermline Journal 11 January 1931]