| 1930,
5th April
DAVID LITTLE
and
CHARLES WOOD
KIRKCONNEL PIT FATALITY.
MINERS KILLED BY FALLING ROOF
MILITARY FUNERALS
During the early hours of Saturday morning a most distressing and
tragic accident occurred in the Fauldhead Collieries, Kirkconnel,
whereby two well-known residents of the village lost their lives while
engaged in their usual employment. The victims were Charles Wood,
miner, aged 38, who resided at McConnel Street, Kelloholm; and David
Little, aged 49, whose residence was New Buildings, Main Street, Kirkconnel.
The men were working on the night shift, which commences at 11 p.m.,
and they were “brushing” the roof in one of the main roadways
in No. 3 Fauldhead Pit. A younger brother of Wood, viz., Thomas Wood
(27), Polveoch Terrace, also formed one of the party. The men had
finished “brushing” one part of the roadway. “Brushing”
means heightening the roadway by blasting the roof and bringing it
down on to the floor and then stowing it away. The time the accident
happened was about 5 a.m., and the shift was nearly completed. The
younger man, Thomas Wood, had remained behind, and before joining
him the others went forward to examine the part of the roof where
their brushing left off. They observed a stone which looked none too
safe, and while they were examining this two surveyors came along.
The miners called their attention to the dangerous stone, and persuaded
them not to pass under it, but rather to make a detour and go down
a side passage which would land them a little distance along the main
road ahead of the dangerous part. The surveyors took the advice, and
thereby in all probability escaped the fate which overtook the men
who had given them the warning. Meantime Tom Wood had waited in vain
for his comrades to return, and went to ascertain what was detaining
them. Meantime the surveyors had observed the catastrophe and rushed
for assistance, which was speedily forthcoming. The unfortunate men
had received the full force of the stone, which was well over 30 cwts.
in weight, and some difficulty was experienced in extricating them.
It was seen that death had been instantaneous. Their bodies were carried
to the ambulance room on the surface, and later were taken to their
respective homes.
The news of the tragedy quickly spread throughout the district, and
created a painful sensation.
Charles Wood, who leaves a widow and one of a family, is a member
of a well-known and highly respected Kirkconnel family. His father
was the late Mr Lewis Wood, a prominent member of the community in
his day. Deceased was of a quiet and unassuming nature, and was held
in high esteem by all classes. He was a member of the Lanarkshire
Yeomanry, and saw service in the Great War.
David Little leaves a widow and a grown-up family. He is not a native
of Kirkconnel, but has been resident in Kirkconnel for many years.
He is an ex-soldier, and served in the Boer War with the King's Own
Scottish Borderers, and again did his “bit” in the Great
War. He was one of the leading lights in connection with the local
ex-Service Men's Association.
Monday was a day of mourning in the district, when the funeral of
the victims took place. The scenes along the route and at the churchyard
were unparalleled in the annals of the village. Both men were buried
with military honours, and in addition Mr Mood was interred with Masonic
honours. At 3.30 p.m. the remains of Charles Wood left home in Kelloholm
en route for St Conal's Cemetery. He was a member of Lodge Sanquhar
Kilwinning, No. 194, and the brethren, along with the members of Lodge
St Conal's, No. 1103, marched in solemn procession. The two Territorial
detachments and a detachment of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry and the local
pipe band were also in attendance. The cortege, which included hundreds
of mourners from both Sanquhar and Kirkconnel, was an impressive spectacle
as it wended its way to Kirkconnel village, where it was joined by
the party following the remains of David Little. Both coffins were
draped with the Union Jack. The procession was fully a quarter of
a mile in length, and it is estimated that it was fully a thousand
strong.
The Rev. C. Forbes Charleson conducted services in the homes of both
of the deceased. And at the grave the body of Charles Wood was the
first to be lowered to its last resting place. Bro. Arch. Millar,
P.M., of Lodge Sanquhar Kilwinning conducted the service. Then the
military party carried out their part. David Little also received
full military honours, and the religious service was conducted by
Mr Charleson.
The Colliery Company was represented by Mr Mark Brand, managing director
of the Sanquhar and Kirkconnel Collieries; Mr Arch. Wilson, general
manager; and the various colliery managers. Mr David Robertson, miners’
agent, was also present.
Dumfries & Galloway Standard 09/04/1930 / W / 4 / F - MM33
& 34 - MM33
& 34A
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