Poignant events to remember miners who lost their lives

The Cadder Pit Disaster took place on August 3, 1913, and claimed the lives of 22 men - including three brothers and a father-of-ten.

The victims were all part of a maintenance squad of 26 men who went to work at the pit as normal at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon, expecting to resurface eight hours later after completing their backshift.

Shortly afterwards a fire broke out in a cabin near one of the pit entrances and quickly spread to where the men were working.

On Saturday, 100 years to the day since the fire, Provost Una Walker and Bailie Mohammad Razaq laid wreaths at the two existing memorials to the miners - in Bishopbriggs’ Cadder Cemetery and St Kentigern’s Cemetery, in the Lambhill area of Glasgow.

A new monument to the miners was then unveiled at Lambhill Stables, followed by a Vigil Mass at nearby St Agnes Parish Church.

On Sunday a short service preceded the unveiling of a special commemorative cairn outside Bishopbriggs Library.

The cairn was built by local stonemason John Ralson, with the top stone designed by local artist Willie Rodger.

There was also a special exhibition of memorabilia and material from the time of the tragedy, as well as the launch of a specially written book and pamphlet about the event written by local historians Bill Findlay and Don Martin.

Refreshments were supplied courtesy of Asda Bishopbriggs.

Provost Walker said: “This has been one of the most interesting and humbling experiences I have had since becoming Provost of East Dunbartonshire. Finding out how people lived and died within your community is something we do not always think about but this journey has been enlightening.

“I am delighted that the event in Bishopbriggs to honour the memory of these 22 men has been such a success. With so many descendants, friends of the families, and local people who have come to remember them is wonderful and much more than I could have asked for.

“The exhibition will be available for a few weeks at Bishopbriggs Library so I hope as many people will come along and see it. Then it will go to local schools for our young people to learn about the Disaster.”

* Have you got a story, picture or comment? E-mail [email protected]

Alternatively you can call the newsdesk 0141 775 0040, find us on Facebook or visit us on Twitter

Or you can log in below and have your say on the site...