Quintinshill rail disaster – 100th anniversary commemorations
Written by author on May 22, 2015
100 years ago today, a troop train and two passenger trains collided at Quintinshill, near Gretna Green early in the morning, resulting in the loss of at least 228 lives and hundreds injured. It remains to this day Britain’s worst rail disaster, yet is relatively unknown. Today however, the disaster was rememberd by hundreds of people – locals, service personnel, relatives and senior dignitaries.
Scottish First Minster, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Scottish Secretary, David Mundell MP, Constituency MSP Elaine Murray MSP and D&G Councill Leader, Ronnie Nicholson represented national and local government. Princess Anne, the Princess Royal represented the Queen. Wreaths were laid and ceremonies were held at the Gretna Green Blacksmiths Vistor Centre, Stormont Hall, Gretna Parish Church, the War Momorial and the Quintishill Disaster site.
Mark Smith was there for Alive107.3fm and met up with John Edward, who brought together some 150 relatives of those involved in the disaster, some of whom travelled huge distances to be there today. John is himself grandson of one of the victims of that fateful day:
