The Dalbeath Blantyre Monument

I think this article deserves to be shared to show some awareness and memory of the dead. All too often when we think of the 200+ victims of the 1877 Blantyre Explosion, we may think they are all buried in High Blantyre Cemetery. After all, there was a large monument erected by Dixon’s in their memory. That part is very much true.

However, lesser known is the fact that many of the Catholic men and boys who died that fateful day in the High Blantyre mine, were taken from Blantyre later and were buried in Dalbeath Cemetery, just off the London Road. Dalbeath Cemetery is also known as St.Peters Cemetery.

A rather small and unimposing monument stands in the cemetery in memory of all the Catholic men and boys from Blantyre who were buried there.

Names of the deceased men who were killed in Dixon’s Pit of High Blantyre, interred by special arrangement in the plot forming the north west corner of Section 9 consisting of 11 lairs, internments made at 22/- each. Paid by Messrs Dixon Limited. There are many modern Blantyre surnames in there.

With thanks to Alex Rochead for taking the photos and providing this long, well researched and extensive list.

(c) Blantyre Project
Courtesy to Alex Rochead