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Full Details

Surname
STEVENSON
Forename
William
Day
23
Month
04
Year
1917
Age
28
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Fauldhead, No.1 Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Sanquhar & Kirkconnel Collieries Ltd
Location
Kirkconnel
County
Dumfriesshire
Details of Event
23 April 1917: Serious Pit Accident – One Miner Killed, Two Injured - A serious accident involving the death of Henry Kenny (23) and serious injuries to William Stevenson (28) and John Comerford (16), all miners resident in Kirkconnel, occurred late on Monday night in No.1 Fauldhead Colliery. The men were engaged in a section of the pit where a stone mine is being driven, and the accident was caused by the untimely explosion of a charge of gelignite. A hole had been drilled in the rock, and a shot placed in it, but the shot failed to fire after two attempts had been made. The men were then instructed to drill another hole parallel with the first, and about twelve inches apart, and it was while this operation was in progress that the explosion occurred. Kenny was killed outright and Stevenson was severely injured about the face and chest, and Comerford was also badly hurt. The two injured men were conveyed to Dumfries Infirmary by motor ambulance, and on inquiry at the institution last night it was learned that Stevenson's condition was critical, and that Comerford was as well as could be expected. Kenny was married less than a year ago. He belongs to Airdrie district, and came to Kirkconnel about five months ago. [Dumfries and Galloway Standard 25 April 1917] Kirkconnel Pit Accident - The remains of Henry Kenny, the young man who was killed in Fauldhead Pit on Monday, were interred in Kirkconnel new cemetery on Thursday, and the company of mourners was the largest seen in Kirkconnel for many years. Much sympathy is felt for the relatives of deceased. He was in France for about eighteen months, and was gassed at Loos. William Stevenson, who has died from the effects of the accident, was 28 year of age, and leaves a widow and three young children. His remains were conveyed to Airdrie on Thursday, and will be interred there today with Masonic honours. [Dumfries and Galloway Standard 28 April 1917] FAI record - NAS "Henry Kenny, miner, 115 Kingsway, died 23 Apr 1917, and William Stevenson, miner, 8 Bayonet Place, Kellobank, Kirkconnel, died 25 Apr 1917 as a result of injuries sustained on 23 Apr 1917" Newspaper report - Dumfriesshire pages