Auchengeich: Gone But Not Forgotten

Hugh Gaffney publishes Auchengeich: Gone But Not Forgotten to remember the lives lost in the 1959 mining disaster

Auchengeich: Gone But Not Forgotten

As part of our commitment to sharing the stories of Scotland’s former coalfields, the National Mining Museum Scotland is pleased to highlight Hugh Gaffney’s recently published book, Auchengeich: Gone But Not Forgotten. Drawing on extensive research, Gaffney traces the history of the colliery, explores the circumstances that led to the disaster, and examines its lasting legacy.

An underground fire at Auchengeich Colliery near Moodiesburn claimed the lives of 47 miners. The disaster devastated families, leaving 41 widows, 76 children, and a community changed forever. The book explores not only the events of the disaster itself but also the wider history of the colliery, including the earlier disaster of 1931.

Gaffney reconstructs the rescue operation almost hour by hour, combining official records with the experience of those who survived. Beyond the disaster itself, he explores how the widows, children, and the wider Moddiesburn community coped with their loss, while reflecting on how the memory of the 47 men has been preserved across the generations.

Auchengeich: Gone But Not Forgotten is a fitting tribute to the men who never returned home and an important contribution to Scotland’s mining history. We are delighted to share this significant new publication and commend it to anyone interested in the history of Scotland’s coal mining communities.

Jake Scott, Arcadia University Placement Student