Valleyfield 28th October 1939

35 men were killed at Valleyfield Colliery, Fife on 28th October 1939 when shot firing caused an explosion of fire damp. 

Above: Valleyfield Disaster Memorial

"Erected in memory of all who lost their lives as a result of an ignition of firedamp and coaldust in the Diamond section of Valleyfield Pit on October 28th 1939 at about 4am

Tearfully they came to Valleyfield Pithead on that autumn day in painful grief to claim the dead with deep respect we pray

Also to the memory of all those who died as a result of working in the mine 1908 -1978"


Above: Memorial on site of colliery


The Dead

Archibald Anderson, 46, brusher, 44 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield
David Baillie, 35, brusher, The Ness, Torryburn
Alexander Banks, 65, transport, 6 East Ave, Blairhall (died in hospital)
John Brown, 23, brusher, 8 Bowmont St, Low Valleyfield
David Cairns, 35, brusher, 39 Preston St, High Valleyfield
Thomas Campbell, 56, brusher, Main St, Newmills
Alexander Christie, 61, supervisor, Culross
Thomas Clark, 47, brusher, 34 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield
William Devlin, 37, machineman, 12 Woodhead St, High Valleyfield
Arthur Doohan, 39, brusher, Burn St, High Valleyfield
Duncan Ewing, 27, brusher, 22 Dundonald Terrace, Low Valleyfield
Aubrey Gauld, 34, brusher, Mid Row, Hill of Beath
Peter Gilliard, 23, brusher, 39 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield
Edward Glass, 27, transport, 14 Dundonald Ter., Low Valleyfield
David Hogg, 49, packer, Hawthorn Cottage, Carnock
James Irvine, 37, packer, West End, Low Valleyfield
Bert Keegan, 52 brusher, 61 Woodside St, High Valleyfield
Thomas Kerr, 58, 36 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield (died in hospital)
Thomas Kerr jun, 26, fireman, 36 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield
Robert Lang, 23, engineer, 6 Preston Cres, High Valleyfield
Alexander Lawrie, 31, brusher, 147 Baldridge Burn, Dunfermline
Edmund Link, 24, transport, Braeside Cottage, Low Valleyfield
James McFadzean, 28, transport, 33 Preston Cres, High Valleyfield
Robert McFarlane, 41, repairer, Main St Newmills
John McIntyre, 22, electrician, 21 Preston Cres, High Valleyfield
Peter Martin, 42, brusher, 5 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield
Colin Morrison, 51, fireman, 18 Woodhead St, High Valleyfield
Michael Murray, 33, brusher, Burn St, High Valleyfield
Robert Nicholson, 32, brusher, North Rd, Saline
Alexander Paterson, 32, brusher, 19 Abbey Cres, High Valleyfield
William Ramage, 52, brusher, Blairwood Ter, Oakley
James Spowart jun, 29, machineman, Tinian Cres, Newmills
Michael Tinney, 35, transport, 3 Woodhead St, High Valleyfield
Henry Tole, 29, machineman, 26 Preston Cres, High Valleyfield
Robert Wright, 48, brusher, 1 Dunmarle St, High Valleyfield