1877 Pit Explosion Rescuers
This family photo is amongst the oldest I have. I’ve previously posted about it and the fact that John Bowie, 6th in from the left on the back row was my great, great grandfather. (marked with a red pen cross)
It is of course the rescuers that went down the Dixons Pit on 22nd October 1877 (and indeed the weeks following).
However, I’m doing the rest of these gentlemen a disservice if I don’t mention the heroism and bravery they endured after that tragic accident. I’m pleased now to be able to name ALL the local men in this photograph and as such, I wish to repost as a mark of respect to what they did.
(back row, left to right): John Nelson, William Watson, George Watt, William Gilchrist, Donald Morrison, John Bowie, Thomas Forrest, John Henderson, Dougal McNicol, John McKinlay, Daniel Hendry, James Brown
(front row, left to right): William Struthers, John Pickering, Hugh Brown, John McMullen, Robert Peel, Walter Nelson, Thomas Cook, John White and Thomas Laidlaw.