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World War I - Troop Train
Accident
This photo shows the
procession passing Pilrig en route to Rosebank Cemetery, following
the rail disaster on May 22, 1915 when 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.
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