Newspaper Transcription MM53

1953, 22nd May

THOMAS DALZIEL BENNIE

MINER FATALLY INJURED.

ACCIDENT AT FAULDHEAD COLLIERY.

A 25-year-old miner, Thomas Bennie, 6 Birkburn Road, died in Dumfries Infirmary on Saturday morning as the result of injuries received in an accident at Fauldhead Colliery, on Friday afternoon. John Furlow, aged 36, of Birkburn Road; Andrew McCluskie (29) of Guffock Road, and Gilbert Clark (31) of Birkburn Road, were also involved in the accident, and Furlow’s condition is still serious. The accident occurred in Bankhead Stooping section of No. 3 colliery just before the completion of the day shift. Furlow was drawing timber after a "lift" had been finished, when he was hit by a stone which fell from the roof. Bennie, who was working with Furlow, got assistance from McCluskie and Clark, and they were trying to release their injured workmate when another fall occurred and they were pinned to the ground. Other workmen were quickly on the scene and succeeded in getting the men clear. Medical attention was given underground by Dr Bruce, who was accompanied by officials.
The injured men had to be carried a distance of about one and a half miles underground, and Dr Bowman Edgar was waiting on the surface. The men were removed by ambulance to Dumfries Infirmary.
Bennie sustained a fracture of the skull and internal injuries. Furlow had multiple injuries. McCluskie, severe bruises, and Clark, badly bruised knee.
Bennie's death caused much regret in the district where he was well-known and highly respected.

Dumfries & Galloway Standard 27/05/1953 / W / 4 / B - MM53

KIRKCONNEL MINERS AWARDED B.E.M.

Two Kirkconnel miners have been awarded the British Empire Medal for their part in the rescue of a comrade trapped by a fall of stone in No. 3 Fauldhead Colliery in May last, and the posthumous award of the Edward Medal has been made to Thomas Bennie, who lost his life as the result of his gallant action on the same occasion.
The men awarded the British Empire Medal are 34-year-old Gilbert Clark, of 28 Birkburn Road, Kirkconnel, and 30-year-old Andrew McCluskie, of 19 Guffock Road, Kirkconnel. Six other miners who took part, in the rescue work have received the Queen's Commendation. They are John McMurdo, James McCluskie, William Bennett, John Harper, James Lind and John McCall.
The accident occurred in Bankhead stooping section of No. 3, Fauldhead Colliery just before the completion of the day shift on 22nd May. John Furlow was engaged drawing timber after a "lift” had been finished when he was trapped by a fall of stone from the roof. His work-mate, Thomas Bennie, got assistance from Andrew McCluskie and Gilbert Clark, who were working nearby, and they were in the act of trying to release Furlow when another fall took place and they were all pinned to the ground. Other workmen rushed to the scene and succeeded in getting the men clear, but Bennie succumbed to his injuries in Dumfries Royal Infirmary the following morning, while McCluskie, Furlow and Clark all sustained injuries of a serious nature.

Brought to Queen's Notice.

News of the posthumous award of the Edward Medal to the late Thomas Bennie was received by his parents, Mr and Mrs Andrew Bennie, Birkburn Road, in a letter from the Home Office. The letter states "I am directed by the Secretary of State to inform you that his attention has been drawn by the Minister of Fuel and Power to the gallant conduct of your late son, Thomas Dalziel Bennie, at Fauldhead Colliery on 22nd May last. Sir David Maxwell Fyffe has brought the action to the notice of Her Majesty The Queen, who has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the Edward Medal to your late son. This public recognition of your son's heroism will, he trusts, be a solace, and a source of even greater pride, to you in your sad bereavement. The Edward Medal is a decoration originally instituted by King Edward VII as an award for acts of heroism in saving or endeavouring to save the lives of others from industrial perils."
Mr and Mrs Bennie also received a letter from the Minister of Fuel and Power expressing his great satisfaction that Her Majesty The Queen, had been pleased to honour their son posthumously by awarding him the Edward Medal (in bronze) in recognition of his gallantry in endeavouring to save the life of a colleague who was trapped by a fall of roof at Fauldhead Colliery. The Minister deeply regretted that, in his gallant effort, Mr Bennie lost his life.

Prime Minister's Recommendation.

Andrew McCluskie and Gilbert Clark, both received from 10 Downing Street, a letter stating: "I am honoured to inform you that the Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the Prime Minister's recommendation that the British Empire Medal (Civil Division) be awarded to you."
In a letter of congratulation, the Minister of Fuel and Power said he had learned with much pleasure that Her Majesty The Queen, had been graciously pleased to confer on them an award of the B.E.M. in recognition of their gallant conduct in operations to rescue a colleague who was trapped by a fall of roof in Fauldhead Colliery.
News of the Queen's commendation was conveyed to each of the six other miners in a letter from the Minister of Fuel and Power. The Minister said he learned with much pleasure that their names would be published in the London Gazette by Order of Her Majesty The Queen for their gallant conduct in operations to rescue a comrade.
Clark, who is married with a family of five children, is a native of Kirkconnel and started work in the local pits when he was 14 years of age. He has been employed at Fauldhead Colliery for 20 years, with the exception of five and a half years' service with the Royal Engineers in the late war.
McCluskie has worked at Fauldhead since leaving school at the age of 14 years. Thomas Bennie was 25 years old when he lost his life as a result of the accident and he lived with his parents.
The awards were published in the London Gazette yesterday.

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