Rosebank Cemetery

Pilrig, Edinburgh

Memorial to those who died in the Royal Scots
troop train disaster near Gretna, 1915

Roseburn Cemetery, Pilrig,  Edinburgh  -  Memorial to those who died in the Royal Scots troop train disaster near Gretna in 1915

© Ian J Russell, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
  With acknowledgement also to John Stewart,
Livingston for providing a copy of this photo.

 

Rosebank Cemetery Memorial

World War I  -  Troop Train Accident

On May 22, 1915, a Royal Scots troop train was involved in Britain's worst railway accident.  The accident occurred on what is now the West Coast Main Line, at Quintishill, Dumfriesshire in the Scottish Borders.

The troop train was travelling south from Larbert when it hit a stationary local train.  Immediately afterwards, an express train travelling in the opposite direction ploughed into the wreckage.

The troop train was carrying 500 territorial soldiers from the 7th Battalion, The Royal Scots, most of whom had been recruited in Edinburgh and Leith.  As a result of the collision and subsequent fire in the train, 214 men lost their lives and a further 246 were injured in the accident.

Many of the dead were buried in Rosebank Cemetery.  This postcard shows a photograph of the funeral procession making its way to Rosebank Cemetery on

Postcard by an unknown publisher  -  Funeral Procession through the streets of Leith for 100 victims of the Gretna Green Railway Disaster ©

The photograph above shows the memorial cross to the men, with the roll call on the plaques against the wall in the background.

More Photos

Please click on the thumbnail images below to zoom-out and to zoom-in:

Roseburn Cemetery, Pilrig,  Edinburgh  -  Memorial to those who died in the Royal Scots troop train disaster near Gretna in 1915 ©       Roseburn Cemetery, Pilrig,  Edinburgh  - Plaque to those who died in the Royal Scots troop train disaster near Gretna in 1915 ©

 

 

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