My father was Andrew Docherty, who died in the Auchgengeich Disaster. I am the youngest of eight and believe ours was the biggest family of the disaster, I was eight years old at the time.

We lived in Waterside, Kirkintilloch. I can remember my mother being told by my grandmother that 'there has been a fire in the pit'. My brother Edward was also working in the pit that day, he was eighteen years old, but thankfully he hadn't gone down the pit yet.

I have a copy of the enquiry into the disaster, and there was a combination of events that day that all added up to the terrible loss of life of 47 hard working men. It didn't need to happen, it shouldn't have happened. There is an annual memorial service held in the miners club in Moodiesburn, which is very well attended, with representatives of all who attended that day. ie. Salvation Army, local churches, mining union officials etc.  

Irene Docherty, Kilsyth 

I lived in Blantyre, a coal mining village, lived in Dixon's Rows, for many years as my dad before me.

There were seven of us including my mum and dad in one room, cooking, cleaning and sleeping, and coal under the bed!! Even after my dad did night shift!!!

I have many memories.

My dad worked in Auchengeigh at the time of the disaster, I remember sitting in school and getting the news; my dad never came home that morning.

Never seen him for 3 days, he was in the Recovery crew. I was 12yrs of age? Now 60yrs.

My dad had bad accidents down the Mines.

My mother worked the pithead, Hallside, where she met my dad?

Women worked at the Pithead picking out the slag as it came from the pithead.

Betty Mc Gaulley
Blantyre

Hi
I was browsing through your website when I found the picture you have of the two mines rescue men at the Auchengeigh disaster. I thought you might be interested to have them identified; the dirty one is William McAlpine, my grandfather who sadly recently passed away. He would have been amazed to know that the internet or "that blasted thing" as he called it has finally found him. He never spoke of that day but I have to say we as a family are very proud of him. The other man's name escapes me but I can find out if you wish to know it.

Kind regards
Jennifer McAlpine

Hi,
was very interested to see the Auchengeigh disaster in your website, my name is Marion McKnight and I am the granddaughter of Tam Green, who, as you know, was the sole survivor on that day. My uncle Sam, who was there on that day, now lives in Glasgow. Unfortunately Tam died before I was born and I would be very grateful if any one has any photos of Tam or my Gran, Margaret.

Thank you
Marion

Hi there,
I'm trying to find information on a man called Robert John Baird (Bob). He was a miner and was badly injured at Auchengeich and from what family told me he was the only one to survive the accident. I have no idea what year it was and this is hampering my efforts.

It definitely was in the 1900's as he was born in 1893 and died 29th Jan 1972. I do know at one point he was in a nursing home in Ireland along with his father at one point, don’t know when exactly this was but his father died in 1960.

If that is any help and you just happen to know of anything I would be grateful if you would let me know.

Many thanks
Shel

My name is Robert Conn; my father was Robert (Rab?) Conn who was killed in the Auchengeich colliery disaster in 1959, when I was 6 months old. The tragedy happened just a few months before my family was supposed to emigrate to Australia. We eventually did go as planned and I grew up in Australia, but am currently living in New Zealand. I am now 48, married for 20 years with a beautiful 11year old red-haired daughter.

I was wondering if you or anyone visiting your page might have any information about my father; there's little reference to him apart from a name on a few lists. My mother never spoke about the accident, and very little about my father at all, unfortunately. She was a wonderful person though and passed away in 1983.

Thanks for your time and trouble, and for putting this great website together.

Rob Conn

Hi Fionn,
Just to let you know that Rob has been in touch and it's sparked a massive response from the family here who all want to get in touch with him & share their family stories. Cousins who I wouldn't know if I were to see them are being instructed by their mums to get in touch via e-mail, coz they're not 'up to date on these things' so I think you deserve a massive 'THANK YOU'.
 
 I appreciate that Auchengiech was a tragic disaster but hopefully your site is as useful to others as my family have found. We are currently looking out photos & talking about what was happening back then so I am hearing stories that I never imagined before & seeing a side of family life that I was unaware of. I will be sharing this with Rob soon.
 
Again MANY THANKS X
 
Mary.
 

Hi,
I was looking for sites relating to the above disaster and found this one - very informative site.

I am May Lynch Anderson and my dad Michael McFarlane Lynch was a Shotfirer in the pit at the time of the disaster. I believe he gave evidence at the inquiry.

I can remember being sent home from school when word reached that there had been an accident at the pit - I was sent to my grandparents as my Mum had been taken to the pithead. My Dad was ok but lost many friends that day.

I especially remember Geordie MacIntosh who lived in the next street to us in Kirkintilloch.

I would be interested in where I could get a copy of the Inquiry Report.

Thanks and regards
May L Anderson

Hi Fionn,
I was looking at your excellent site looking to see if there was a memorial service at Auchengeich. I came across the entry above. Would you be able to put me in touch with May Anderson or forward this email with my contact details. I have an interest in George Macintosh as he was my mother's uncle, and would like to find out about him. I would appreciate anything you can do. The specific email is above.

Thanks