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Blacksike Bridge, Gretna , Dumfries and Galloway - DG16 5EA

Photo: Soldier's postcard - Alexander Nicol, centre back row

The Quintinshill Rail disaster occurred on the 22nd of May, 1915 near Gretna Green in Dumfriesshire. It remains the worst UK rail crash in terms of loss of life.

Five trains were involved: a troop train collided with a stationary local train and the disaster was compounded when, moments later, a northbound express train thundered into the wreckage, ploughing through the remains of the troop train. Two stationary goods trains on adjacent tracks were also caught up in the carnage.

Due to a shortage of carriages, the soldiers on the troop train were travelling in outdated gas-lit wooden carriages. The gas tanks on the troop train ruptured, causing a fire so hot it buckled the steel carriages of the express. It was not until the following day that the blaze was fully put out.

After a series of investigations, including a fatal accident inquiry and a coroner’s inquest, the negligence of two local signalmen, James Tinsley and George Meakin was held to blame for the disaster. They had shunted a local passenger train on to one of the main lines to allow the late running express train through – but had forgotten to hold the troop train that collided with the local train on the same track. Both Tinsley and Meakin were later to receive jail sentences for manslaughter.

Estimates of the dead are put at around 230, with 246 injured. The 7th Royal Scots – who were travelling aboard the troop train – accounted for 216 of those killed. The battalion had been en-route from Larbert to Liverpool, and then on to join the conflict at Gallipoli.

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