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Full Details

Surname
ANDERSON
Forename
Matthew
Day
03
Month
05
Year
1916
Age
Occupation
Mine/Quarry Name
Lochore
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Fife Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Lochore
County
Fifeshire
Details of Event
3 May 1916: At Lochore Colliery, owned by Messrs. The Fife Coal Co., Ltd., on 3rd May, a repairer and a brusher were killed. They had to take out a bar and put a new one in its place. They had carried out the first part of the work and were apparently engaged on the second when the fall occurred. No one saw the accident and therefore it cannot be stated positively that temporary props had not been set beneath the bars on either side of the one taken out. The changing of bars is usually dangerous, and it cannot be too strongly urged upon men who are sent to do such work that temporary supports must be set until the new bar is in its place and properly lagged. [Report by H Walker, Inspector of Mines & Quarries, Scotland Division for the year 1916] Glencraig & Lochore – Double Pit Fatality – A sad fatal accident happened in the Mary Pit, Lochore on Wednesday morning, whereby two men lost their lives, the circumstances being partly suffocation and partly bruises. They were employed brushing a bench in the Glessee section where a large fall of stone took place, completely burying both with the above result. Their names are James McLachlan (married), Waverley Street, Lochore, and Matthew Anderson, who had not been long in the district and lodged at Whitehouse, Crosshill. He was a native of New Cumnock, Ayrshire. He intended leaving to join the army. His father had just received notice of another brother having been killed in action. M'Lachlan had resided in the village for seven years and was well known. He was a prominent Freemason and Orangeman. He was W.M of Lodge 320 Orangemen, Lochore, and had been fr 5 months secretary of District 65. He was re-appointed to that position a week or two ago, and was presented with a gold badge in recognition of his services. He served in the South African War with the Royal Scots Fusiliers, and possessed the King's and Queen's medals, with six clasps. Deceased's only brother is at present lying seriously wounded in a hospital in France. The funeral took place on Friday and was largely attended by local Freemasons, while the Lochgelly brass band was also in attendance. [Lochgelly & Kelty News 9 May 1916]