Tragedy Remembered
Final resting place of police
A poignant memorial service has been held for a Hamilton police officer who died in the line of duty over 80 years ago.
It was only last year that the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society learned of former cop Arthur Malcolmson, who tragically died at the young age of 23 during a road collision in Bellshill in 1940.
He reported for duty in Hamilton and was instructed to uplift equipment from various fire stations along with two firefighters – Cornelius Mcguire, 29, from Hamilton, and John Bishop, 26, from Carluke – who were also killed in the crash.
Travelling in an Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) vehicle, the three men were heading towards Bothwellpark Cemetery.
They were driving behind a lorry before suddenly colliding with a bus head-on on New Edinburgh Road during terribly poor weather conditions with wet roads and fog.
The collision was severe. The wheel of the bus cut through the vehicle, embedding itself in the centre of the car.
A newspaper report at the time of the accident described the saloon car as being “smashed almost beyond recognition” and that it was “completely sandwiched between the bus and a low stone wall at the side of the road”.
The smashed car was pushed against the low wall of the cemetery. The front of the car had been pushed and twisted so far round that it was facing the rear.
One of the firemen was thrown from the car into the cemetery and was killed instantly.
The conductress, passengers of the bus, and others nearby tried desperately to remove Arthur and his colleague; however, they were trapped in the wreckage.
Those at the scene were left in shock at what happened.
An ambulance and fire crews were called to the accident. And the Chief Constable at the time, on receiving news of the incident, immediately attended and took charge of the recovery.
The car had to be practically cut in two to remove the two casualties inside.
They were placed in an ambulance which made its way to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, however sadly on the way the second fireman died, and Arthur died shortly after arriving at
hospital. The Chief Constable personally ended the homes of all three, making their t of kin aware of the tragedy.
The local communities were devastated by loss of the three young men, who were all en service funerals.
Thousands lined the streets from Crossgates ough Bellshill Cross to Bothwellpark metery where Bellshill man Arthur was d to rest.
The Lanarkshire Police Historical Society t week led the tributes to Arthur, 82 years from his untimely death.
During their research into Arthur’s ry, the society found that a headstone s never placed at Arthur’s grave and it mained unmarked. Instead, there was a all flowerpot with the name Malcolmson cribed nearby.
However, members kindly donated £2300 uy a proper memorial for Arthur’s grave d hope that others can be identified in future.
The constable’s name is not on the Scottish ice Memorial as the circumstances of his ath were not known until recently. ut the society have advised they have ntacted the relevant people to hopefully have this rectified.
In memory of Arthur, George Barnsley of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society told us about his life.
He was an only child born on January 11, 1917 and joined the 1st Bellshill Boys’ Brigade Company in 1928 and eventually went on to become a Lieutenant there.
Arthur was a very popular individual who was always pleasant and willing to help in any way he could.
In 1938 he achieved his dream by becoming a policeman and joined the Lanarkshire Constabulary in Hamilton.
At his funeral, the cortege was led by the Boys’ Brigade Pipe Band and had over 400 members of local BB companies marching behind the coffin.
In addition, there were over 200 members of Lanarkshire Constabulary, AFS and ARP in the procession, led by the Chief Constable, Superintendents and Inspectors.
Arthur was remembered for many great attributes including his willingness to oblige. He did not seem to be able to say ‘no’ to anyone.
All the children that lived near to him adored him and listened to his every word, and they called him ‘Big Hearted Arthur’.
The Reverend conducting Arthur’s funeral beautifully summed up the constable by saying: “He was clean living, clean mouthed, a kind and happy fellow who will be remembered fondly by all who came in contact with him.”
A Fatal Accident Inquiry was held at Hamilton Sheriff Court on February 26, 1940, and a formal verdict was returned.
Within two years of his death, both Arthur’s mother and father sadly died of cancer and it is unknown if he is survived by generations of other relatives.
However, Lanarkshire Police Historical Society is appealing to locals with any information to get in touch with George by email at george.barnsley@lphs.org.uk – where you can also be provided with details on how to donate to future memorials of Lanarkshire service men and women.
Last Tuesday’s service was well attended as lovely tributes were paid to Arthur.
In attendance were members of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society, Police Scotland and Federation Piper Chris Norton, current Police Superintendent Lex Baillie, and Police Scotland Chaplain Rev Neil Galbraith.