Auchengeich II
 
The dirty rats came from their holes
On a night unfit for any souls;
A night that was dark and unco dreich.
And they took themselves to Auchengeich.

The vileness of their acts astounds,
The people of Moodiesburn and the surrounds.
These bastards can’t be very real,
For the miners’ statue they did steal.

Stealing remembrance of the dead?
Lowest of the low – they’re off their heads.
We were all proud of the big bronze miner,
And all agreed there was nothing finer.

The law must run these thieves to ground,
Before the statue is melted down.
This scum will never die in their bed,
They’ll be running in fear until they are dead.

These creatures will one day crawl in their slime,
We’ll never forgive this despicable crime.
Whenever they spend their ill-gotten cash,
They'll be tormented by pick, shovel, 'n' mash.

The aching hearts they have constituted,
Leaves the people of Moodiesburn silent and muted.
We pray that someday they will be exposed,
so the spirits of the miners will all be reposed.

   
PS. I lost two friends in the Auchengeigh Disaster namely Fred Broadly and Pat Harvey.

All my mothers brothers Hugh, Pat, and Eddie worked the Pits from they left school until they retired, their Father, my Grandfather! Con Sharkey,was killed in Greyshill mine around the time of the end of “World War Two.”

PPS. Hugh, Pat and Eddie, all died a year after their retirement with illness due to working in wet conditions. They gave their lives for COAL.

Welcome Home Iconic miner returned to rightful place at Auchengeich

Published Date: 09 June 2010

Kirkintilloch Herald

Thanks to John Lynch For Bringing This To My Notice - Visit His Website
See also his pages on the Bevin Boys

HUNDREDS of people have welcomed home a poignant tribute to miners who lost their lives in Scotland's worst pit disaster. A striking statue of a miner was unveiled to mark the 50th anniversary of the Auchengeich tragedy in September last year. The disaster claimed the lives of 47 men. However, within weeks the miner had been stolen - leaving the community shocked and saddened. But last week there was emotion and pride as the new statue – an exact replica of the original – was unveiled at the memorial in Moodiesburn, within the shadow of the Auchengeich Miners Welfare Club.

Special guests included Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill MP Tom Clarke, Coatbridge and Chryston MSP Elaine Smith and local school pupils.

Businessman Brian Dempsey, a strong supporter of the memorial committee, conducted the proceedings. 

He said: "It's a very special day here at the 'Geich' to be welcoming home your miner."

Mr Salmond, who attended the 50th anniversary of the tragedy, said he "wouldn't have missed" the unveiling of the new statue.

He added: "The Auchengeich miner has been restored to its rightful place thanks to the determination of all those who were not beaten by this act of theft. "

Former miner Willie McGarvie had just finished a nightshift at the Auchengeich Colliery when tragedy struck. 

The 75-year-old said: "I couldn't believe it when the statue was stolen, it broke my heart. Everyone has rallied round to get it back up again.

"It brought a wee tear to me eye."

The new statue cost around £30,000, which was funded by North Lanarkshire Council, East Dunbartonshire Council and Auchengeich Memorial Committee. Special security has been installed to guard the memorial.

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Charles Sharkey
Rescue Brigadesman