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STV News
11-06-2025
- General
- STV News
Service remembering 1,500 children and adults in 'pauper's grave' held
A service to remember nearly 1,500 children and adults buried in what was once called a 'pauper's grave' has been held at a Larbert cemetery. A small crowd braved torrential rain to attend the service on Saturday, which was organised in a personal capacity by Falkirk councillor Billy Buchanan, who had been shocked to discover that nearly 1,500 people are buried at the site with nothing to mark their graves. Falkirk MP Euan Stainbank helped unveil a large panel with information about the grassy area beside a simple Celtic cross to remember the 1,466 children and adults buried there because they did not have the means to pay for a burial. Those interred on the common ground between 1902 and 1980 include a substantial number of children and adults who passed away while resident at either the Royal Scottish National Hospital (RSNH) or Bellsdyke, the hospital for mentally ill people. LDRS Ballie Billy Buchanan organised the service to mark the site. LDRS The location of the residents from RSNH and Bellsdyke who were buried before 1902 is not recorded. Dave McQueen joined Stainbank in unveiling the board, whom Baillie Buchanan thanked for being 'a wonderful benefactor'. Mr McQueen and piper Kevin McLean formed 'a coalition group' with Baillie Buchanan to pledge that those buried in the common ground there would be 'forgotten no more'. Baillie Buchanan said: 'We have done a wonderful thing today in remember 1466 individuals that have been lying in this area here.' LDRS Piper Kevin McLean joined the service. LDRS The Strathcarron Singers performed three hymns, including Abide With Me, while piper Kevin McLean led a short procession to the memorial, then played a lament before a two-minute silence. Prayers were led by the Reverend Andrew Moore, who also gave a blessing and flowers were placed beside the Celtic Cross. Baillie Buchanan particularly thanked Ian Edwards of Falkirk Council, who researched the details of the common ground, including the names of those interred. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
30-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Falkirk councillors leads service to remember 1500 people in 'paupers' grave
Baillie Billy Buchanan is determined that those buried in common ground will be 'forgotten no more' A service to remember nearly 1500 people who were given a "paupers' burial" in unmarked graves is being held in Larbert on Saturday, June 6. The ceremony will unveil a simple Celtic cross that has been put in place by Falkirk councillor, Baillie Billy Buchanan, who represents Larbert and Bonnybridge and has a passionate interest in local history. The former Provost was shocked to discover 1,466 bodies had been interred in a small part of Larbert Cemetery and pledged that they would be "forgotten no more". The common ground - once referred to as a paupers' grave - contains people who did not have the means to pay for a burial, so were buried in common ground in the cemetery just off Muirhead Road. The names of the people who were buried are all recorded but there is no indication of where exactly in the site they were buried. Some of those who are buried there had been resident in one of two large hospitals nearby, either the Royal Scottish National Hospital (RSNH), where children were cared for, or Bellsdyke, the former psychiatric hospital in Larbert. However, members of the public not associated with either institution are also interred there and there are also records which show the RSNH and Bellsdyke bought lairs in the main part of the cemetery. Alongside the Celtic cross, there will be information boards to tell people more about the site. The ceremony in Larbert Cemetery, Muirhead Road, Stenhousemuir, on Saturday, June 6, will start at 10.45 am. It will be led by Baillie Billy Buchanan and the Strathcarron Singers and piper Kevin McLean will also be attending.
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Falkirk service to mark 110th anniversary of tragic First World War troops' rail journey
The now annual remembrance event on Thursday commemorates the Quintinshill Rail Disaster in 1915 A service to mark the 110th anniversary of the UK's worst rail disaster will be held in Larbert on Thursday morning. The short service at Larbert railway station will remember the Quintinshill Rail Disaster, and the troops who were on their way to serve in the First World War when their train was involved in a horrific crash that left 214 dead. On May 22, 1915, the train packed with around 500 soldiers hit a local passenger service before being hit again by an express train, causing intense fires there was no escape from. As well as the troops who died, nine passengers and three railway employees were also killed, while 246 others were injured. The accident took place in Quintinshill, near Gretna, and the Royal Scots soldiers on board were mostly from in and around Leith - but they had begun their journey at Larbert railway station. Baillie Billy Buchanan has pledged that the troops who were killed so tragically more than a century ago will not be forgotten. He previously campaigned for a plaque to be erected at Larbert Station to mark the local connection to the disaster and now holds an annual memorial service. The former Provost of Falkirk will join members of the Ancre Somme Charity Scotland to lay wreaths and pay tribute to those who lost their lives. They will meet at Larbert station, where the train packed with troops set off on that fateful day, at 6.30 am. Piper Kevin McLean will be in attendance and there will be a two-minute silence at 6.49 am, the time that the crash happened.
