Edinburgh memorial to honour those lost in 'worst rail disaster' in British history

Paul Cargill & Ryan McDougall, PA Scotland & Lee Dalgetty

23 May 2024 at 6:27 am·2-min read

The Royal Scots Regimental Association (RSRA) is to hold its annual memorial service for those killed in the Gretna rail disaster this weekend.

On Saturday, May 22, 1915, at around 6.49am, a troop train collided with a stationary local passenger train on the southbound main line at Quintinshill, just north of Gretna. The troop train overturned, mostly on to the northbound track, and a minute later a Glasgow-bound express ploughed into the wreckage which caused the troop train to burst into flames.

Three officers, 31 NCOs and 182 soldiers of the 7th Battalion The Royal Scots, the train driver, the fireman and 10 others were killed. It is widely considered the worst rail disaster in British history.

The annual memorial will take place on Saturday, May 25, at 10.45am at Rosebank Cemetery on Pilrig Street, Leith, Edinburgh. It will be led by RSRA's Pipe Band and the Association Standard Party, with a service to be conducted by Rev Stephen Blakely, formerly padre of the 1st battalion of The Royal Scots. People are invited to attend to pay their respects.

Brigadier George Lowder, president of the RSRA, said: "Amidst all the sacrifices and loss of the First World War, the tragic loss of 216 Members of Royal Scots 7th Battalion in the Quintinshill Rail Disaster in the early morning of 22 May 2015 en route to embarking for Gallipoli was a huge blow to the regiment, to Leith, and to Edinburgh.

"Leith marked their passing in a way that highlighted the close links between the battalion and the community. It was believed that every family in Leith was touched by the disaster and the community continued to suffer as others injured in the crash subsequently died of their injuries.

"Our commemoration remembers not only those of Royal Scots 7th Battalion who lost their lives but also the close tie between the regiment and Leith that still endures today".

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