Fireman Alexander McGregor died as a result of being thrown from a Fire Engine at Killearn on Tuesday 5th October, 1926.
DEATH
M'Gregor - On 5th October, the result of an
accident, Alexander M'Gregor, slater, 17 King Street, Stirling, aged 41 years.
THE FATAL ACCIDENT TO STIRLING FIREMAN
IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL
<PHOTO> The funeral procession.
The
only
injury to prove
fatal
to a
Stirling
fireman
occurred an Sunday 3rd
October 1926. Mr. Alexander McGregor suffered
a
fractured
skull when, along
with
several other members of the crew, he was thrown from
the engine alter it failed to
"straighten
up
properly after
rounding
bend" near Killearn railway station. Mr. McGregor was removed to Stirling Royal
Infirmary but died from his injuries the following Tuesday. Mr McGregor, who
was a staler to trade, was given a full fire brigade funeral. Indeed, large
crowds lined the procession's route to pay their respects. The cause of the accident
was later attributed to the mudguards coming in contact with the wheels causing
the driver to lose control of the vehicle. In fact, the driver was absolved of
any blame whatsoever.
(Stirling Fire Station Silver Jubilee booklet. Page 22.)
ACCIDENT TO STIRLING MOTOR FIRE ENGINE
LEAVES THE ROAD NEAR KILLEARN
FIREMAN DIES FROM INJURIES
An accident of a serious nature befel
Stirling's motor fire engine while answering a call to a stackyard fire at
Strathblane on Sunday.
When near Killearn the motor failed to straighten up properly after rounding a
bend in the roadway, and commenced to head for a telegraph pole.
The driver, to whose skill and presence of mind is undoubtedly due to the fact
that the accident was not of a more serious nature, succeeded in avoiding the
pole, but the heavy tailswing which had set in when the car took the corner due
to the heavy load which the vehicles carries in addition to the trailer at the
rear, proved too strong, and the vehicle left the road although keeping on its
wheels all the time.
A number of the firemen were thrown off the car and slightly injured, but so
seriously hurt was Fireman Alexander M'Gregor, slater, 17 King Street, that he
had to be removed to Stirling Royal Infirmary in an ambulance.
The task of getting the motor on the road took fifteen minutes, after which the
Brigade proceeded to Strathblane, and extinguished the fire.
M'Gregor died from his injuries this morning.
(The Stirling Observer, Tuesday, October 5, 1926. Page 7.)
THE FATAL ACCIDENT TO STIRLING
FIREMAN
IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL
<PHOTO> The funeral procession.
Impressive scenes were associated with the funeral of Mr Alexander M’Gregor, the
member of Stirling Fire Brigade who died in Stirling Royal Infirmary on Tuesday
morning of last week, following the motor accident which befell the Brigade the
previous Sunday. It will be remembered that on Sunday afternoon the Stirling
Brigade was proceeding to a stackyard fire at Strathblane and when near Killearn
Railway station the motor failed to straighten up properly after rounding a bend
on the roadway, and headed for a telegraph pole. The driver succeeded in
avoiding the pole, but the heavy tail swing caused the vehicle to leave the
road, and a number of the men were thrown off, M’Gregor was the only one to be
seriously hurt, and he was removed to Stirling Royal Infirmary suffering from
severe injuries to the head. Little hope was entertained for his recovery from
the first, and he died as stated, on Tuesday morning, death being due to a
fractured skull.
Deceased, who was 41 years of age, was a son of the late Parish Councillor
Alexander M’Gregor, slater, George Street. He was also a slater to trade and
resided at 17 King Street. He is survived by a widow and five of a family, for
whom much sympathy has been expressed in their bereavement.
The funeral took place to Stirling Cemetery on Friday, and was of a public
character. The following members of Stirling Town Council were present, viz.,
Provost Gavin, Bailies Weir, M’Allister, and Aimer, Treasurer Berker, Dean of
Guild Ferguson, Judge Buchanan, Judge Moores, Councillors Dick, Gourley,
Watters, Morrison, M’Ewan, Robert Jenkins, and Wilson, with Mr D.B. Morris, Town
Clark, Town Chamberlain; Mr A.H. Goudie, Burgh Surveyor; Chief Constable Nicol;
Mr Henry Webster, collector. The members of the Stirling Brigade, under their
Firemaster, Mr Alexander Mills, were present in uniform to pay their last
tribute of respect to their deceased comrade, and they were joined by
deputations from other Fire Brigades, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, and
Dundee, about seventy firemen in all taking part in the procession to the
churchyard. All the available members of the Stirling Burgh Police Force also
attended and formed part of the cortege, and many tradesmen in the town, masters
as well as employers, were present.
The coffin was placed on the Fire Brigade tender, and upon it rested the helmet
and belt of the deceased, the tender being almost covered with wreaths. At the
grave the coffin was carried to its last resting place by four of the oldest
members of the Brigade. The funeral was witnessed with sympathetic feelings by
large crowds who occupied both sides of King Street, and various points on the
way up the hill. The general public were not admitted to the cemetery, only the
mourners being allowed within the churchyard. The service at the house and the
grave was conducted by the Rev. R.J. Wright, B.A., Erskine Church, of whose
congregation deceased was a member.
Many beautiful wreaths were sent by friends of the family, by Fire Brigades, and
other bodies. These included Stirling Town Council, Stirling Fire Brigade,
Edinburgh Fire Brigade, Glasgow Fire Brigade, Perth Fire Brigade, Dundee Fire
Brigade, and others, Stirling Burgh Police, Stirling Master Slaters, etc.
BRIGADE ATTEND CHURCH SERVICE
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE
The Brigade, headed by Sergeant Smith
and in charge of Firemaster Mills, who was accompanied by Councillor Robt.
Morrison, Convener of the Brigade Committee, attended Erskine U.F. Church on
Sunday, deceased having been a member of the church, and his late father an
elder. The firemen were in uniform.
Rev. Robert Primrose, a former minister of the church, and now retired, occupied
the pulpit and read an expression of the congregation’s sympathy written by Rev.
Robert J. Wright, the present minister of the church. Sympathetic allusion to
the sad occurance was also made in the prayers. In a personal note Mr Primrose
said: “I had a real love for Mr M’Gregor’s father, and a real love for him. They
were both straight, clean, honest men, always ready to do their duty. I am sure
the prayers of this congregation go forth to the bereaved family and relatives
at this time”
The “Dead March” was played on the pipe organ at the close of the service by Mr
D.C. Ferguson, church organist, the congregation remaining on their feet during
the rendition. The whole service was one of impressiveness.
(The Stirling Observer, Tuesday, October 12, 1926.)