Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Mine hero’s medal goes on display
A royal bravery medal and commemorative watch presented to a teenage miner who saved dozens of lives in the 1918 Stanrigg pit tragedy are to go on display at Summerlee.
John McCabe was a drawer at the coal mine, near Plains, when disaster struck on July 9 a century ago. An inrush of moss and peat overwhelmed the mine workings, collapsing inwards as more than 70 men worked underground.
The 17-year-old ran for a quarter of a mile back into the pit to warn 62 others, who were then able to escape. Nineteen men working elsewhere in the colliery’s higher “humph” section, which was quickly blocked and overwhelmed, lost their lives.
John, of Caldercruix, was awarded the Edward Medal – exchanged later in life for the George Cross – and an inscribed watch; which will go on display at the Coatbridge industrial museum from the end of the month.
The miner’s grandson, also named John McCabe, presented the watch to the Stanrigg Memorial Committee at this summer’s service to mark the centenary of the disaster.
Retired miners’ committee member Peter Downie said:“I’ve since been able to obtain a replica of the medal which was awarded.
“They’ll go on display together at Summerlee along with a photo of John McCabe, the miner, and some information about him.
“He was born in Caldercruix and lived there with his parents at the time of the tragedy and continued to work in the pits for his whole life. He died in 1974 and his family still live there.
“John’s grandson will be at the presentation at Summerlee at the end of the month.
“It was unexpected and a lovely thing to receive, especially at the centenary service, and it’s great that the watch and medal will be there for everybody to see and made accessible for all.”