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WEST WEMYSS WW2 memorial re 23 jan 1941 casualties
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Jake Drummond



Joined: 20 Dec 2010
Posts: 10
Location: Coaltown of Wemyss

PostPosted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Though we're aware of the Buckhaven sea mine explosion we're anxious not to have the two confused.
This initially made fundraising, research and the publicising of the West Wemyss tragedy difficult, with people confusing the two events.
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kinnethmont



Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 1649
Location: Aberdeenshire

PostPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:12 am    Post subject: Update Reply with quote

Jake
I agree they are totally seperate.

I have now created a new thread on the Non Comms section in respect of the Buckhaven tragedy.

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=6027
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk
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Jake Drummond



Joined: 20 Dec 2010
Posts: 10
Location: Coaltown of Wemyss

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

May I offer my sincere thanks for all the help given by the site, and by Jim Grant, which is echoed by the others in the West Wemyss Memorial Group and the families of all the victims of the mine explosion on January 23rd 1941 at West Wemyss.
I've also been contacted by some of the families of the victims of the later Buckhaven mine explosion , and asked to pass on their thanks too.
Some photographs from our memorial unveiling at West Wemyss on Sunday 23rd January this year (2011) can be viewed at Andrew Scorgie's 'Flickr' pages here http://www.flickr.com/photos/vulcan/
I'm happy to email any further photographs and press cuttings should anyone be interested.

We had an excellent turnout of around 300 people, despite an overcast but dry day, and all were pleased to see the contribuition made by members of the Scottish Military Vehicle Group, the Fife Historic Vehicle Group and the 1307 Leven Squadron Air Cadets who turned out in 'period' uniforms of Home Guard, Civil Defence and Special Constables of the time.
This was was done to mark the regard for the sterling work done by all of these bodies at the time as in the early war years the village and it's occupants were left to attend to everything themselves; there was no 'grief councilling' in those days, and very little support from outwith the village. The men buried their comrades and looked after those left behind to cope with the aftermath.
It is easy to forget that the victims and their comrades were miners too, working long shifts before turning out to do their bit in civilian roles; on as a Home Guard Volunteer, one an Air Raid Warden and one as a Special Constable with Fife Police.
The mining community look after their own, and the debt we owe those comrades for the work they did in those days of burying the dead and caring for the dependants has now, I hope, been repaid.
The local St Adrian's Church gave us much help on the day, and the service by the Reverend Wilma Cairns BD was very moving.

Mr Andrew Wemyss said a few very pertinant words regarding the tragedy, Inspector Graeme Kinmond spoke about the sacrifice made by George Storrar, Special Constable, and Major Ronnie Proctor MBE gave tribute to Colin Smart of the 4th Fife Battalion Black Watch Home Guard, reminding the gathering that barely 500 yards from where we stood the men died, 70 years ago to the day. Piper John Spence, ex Black Watch, played Flowers o' the Forest as he marched away, stopping to turn and salute, whereupon Mr Wemyss then began the unveiling, assisted by the assembled uniformed group.

The memorial is our tribute to the sacrifice made by five ordinary men who took the risk and performed an extraordinarily brave act which undoubtedly saved far greater number of lives but cost them their own.
The tribute inscribed around the memorial stone; [i]"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it."[/i]could have been written for them.

Thanks again to all..................Jake
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john burnett



Joined: 29 Jan 2007
Posts: 790
Location: Fife

PostPosted: Sun Dec 02, 2012 7:07 pm    Post subject: West Wemyss Reply with quote

Thanks to Mrs Aase Goldsmith for the photos.








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Jake Drummond



Joined: 20 Dec 2010
Posts: 10
Location: Coaltown of Wemyss

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some photographs of the unveiling day can be seen here;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vulcan/sets/72157625888211580/detail/

Andrew Scorgie took some very good shots which captured the essence of what was for me a really emotional time.
It was good to see all the hard work turning out so well and I'll be forever grateful to everyone involved for allowing me to fulfill a long held ambition to see the sacrifice the five West Wemyss villagers made recorded.
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stuartn



Joined: 13 Dec 2016
Posts: 2551

PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 4:49 pm    Post subject: WMR (ex UKNIWM) report Reply with quote

WMR 82807
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