Sculpture: John McKenna
Date: 2009
Location: Bridgend, Moodiesburn
Description: No day in the last century of Scottish mining was more tear-stained than September 18, 1959. In the space of just a few minutes, 47 miners died, 41 women were widowed and 76 children lost their fathers. Just one miner survived. The death toll from the underground fire in Auchengeich Colliery, in Lanarkshire, was the worst in the history of mining in this country. The tragedy decimated families.
50 years on with many descendants and comrades of the killed miners still living in the area it was decided to renew the existing memorial, creating a landscaped garden, with trees, benches and a centrepiece statue.
The original was unveiled by First Minister Alex Salmond on the 50th anniversary of the disaster in 2009 – but was stolen within weeks.
A replacement, using the original moulds has been fitted with a tracking device!