Fireman Thomas McGougan died at a fire on the S.S. Orair on the 26th January, 1927.
VESSEL ON FIRE AT TROON.
Fireman Fatally Injured Through Fall Down
Hold.
Between five and six o’clock on
Tuesday evening fire was discovered to have broken out on the “Orari,” an old
steamer which had arrived at Troon harbour last week to be broken up by the West
of Scotland Shipbuilding Coy., Ltd., Troon. Kilmarnock Fire Brigade was
summoned, and made a quick turnout. The firemen, on arrival, were not long in
getting the flames under control.
One of their number, Thomas M’Gougan, 38 years of age, who resided at 13 East
George Street, Kilmarnock, was the victim of an unfortunate accident. It appears
that in stepping back he stumbled and fell down the after hatch, a distance of
fully 22 feet, with the result that his skull was fractured, while he also
sustained serious internal injuries. He was conveyed in the ambulance wagon to
Kilmarnock Infirmary, where he died early on Wednesday morning. M’Gougan was a
married man, and leaves a widow and four of a family.
(Troon and Prestwick Times, January 1927)
TRAGIC DEATH OF KILMARNOCK FIREMAN
ACCIDENT AT TROON HARBOUR
<PHOTO> MR. THOMAS M’GOUGAN.
A distressing accident resulting in the death of Thomas M’Gougan, slater, East
George Street, Kilmarnock, occurred about half past six on Tuesday evening while
Kilmarnock Fire Brigade were engaged at an outbreak of fire on a ship in Troon
Harbour. The vessel, which was formerly engaged in the New Zealand frozen meat
trade, was what is termed a refrigerator, and was in the harbour for breaking up
by West of Scotland Shipbreaking Company. Apparently the fire originated between
decks aft, and it is surmised that it was caused by a spark from an acetylene
burner, with the aid of which the ship’s plates were being broken up.
When the Kilmarnock Brigade, under Firemaster D. Inverarity, arrived on the
scene, they found the woodwork and fittings well alight and dense smoke issuing
from the hatchways. With a plentiful supply of water, however, they quickly had
the blaze extinguished and it was while the firemen were making a round of the
ship and examining the debris to see that everything was right that the
unfortunate accident occurred. Along with other three firemen, M’Gougan was
engaged in this task between decks when he apparently overbalanced and fell to
the bottom of the hold, a distance of about 26 feet from the deck on which he
had been standing. Two of his comrades, Firemen Boyd and Morrison, at once went
down into the hold and found him lying unconscious. They fastened a rope round
him and had him raised up to the deck. A local doctor summoned by the Firemaster
ordered the unfortunate man to be removed at once to Kilmarnock Infirmary, where
it was found that he had sustained a fracture of the skull, and his injuries
were so severe that he succumbed about three o’clock on Wednesday morning.
Deceased was employed by Messrs R. Yuille & Sons, plumbers and slaters, as a
slater and chimney sweep, and by reason of his calling was well known in the
town. Possessed of a ready wit, he had a cherry word and smile for all with whom
he came into contact and he was much respected. He had been a member of the Fire
Brigade for over five years and was one of its most capable and reliable
members. His tragic death is deeply felt by his comrades, with whom he was very
popular. In his younger days he was a member of the R.S.F. Territorial
Battalion, and during the war was on active service in France and the Salonika
with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was wounded several times, and
just a year ago had to undergo an operation to have a piece of shrapnel removed
from his leg.
Mr M’Gougan, who was 39 years of age, is survived by his wife and four children,
three of whom are still attending school, and the sympathy of the entire
community goes out to them in their sudden and tragic bereavement.
The Funeral
The respect and esteem in which
the deceased was held was manifested by the large turnout at the funeral which
took place from the Infirmary to the New Cemetery yesterday afternoon. Despite
the stormy nature of the weather the streets were lined by sympathetic
onlookers.
The cortege was headed by a detachment of the Burgh Police Force, under
Inspector M’Donald, and they were followed by the band of the Salvation Army
under Bandmaster Baird. Immediately behind them were Provost Wilson, Bailies
Orr, Brown, Lamont, and Carnie; Mr Norman J. Campbell, Town Clerk; and Mr Adam
Borland, Inspector of Weights and Measures, followed by a full muster of the
members of the local Fire Brigade, under Firemaster D. Inverarity. Then came the
new fire engine bearing the coffin, which was draped with the Union Jack and on
which were laid deceased’s helmet and tunic. A large number of relatives and
friends, including the employees of Messrs R. Yuille & Sons, walked behind the
fire engine and were followed by an engine and a crew of Ayr Fire Brigade, under
Firemaster Galloway, and two private machines.
On the Ayr engine was a large number of beautiful wreaths, including one from
deceased’s comrades in the Brigade, one from his workmates, and one from the
City of Dundee Fire Brigade of which Firemaster Inverarity was a member before
coming to Kilmarnock. Mr. Inverarity received a letter from the Firemaster of
the Dundee Brigade, asking him to convey the sympathy of the officers and men to
Mr. M’Gougan’s widow and family and enclosing a sum of money with which to
purchase a wreath.
The Rev. R. R. Grant Sutherland, M.A., St. Marnock’s Parish Church, conducted an
impressive service in the Board Room at the Infirmary and also officiated at the
graveside, where, in addition to the mourners, there was a large gathering of
the general public.
(Kilmarnock Standard, January 29, 1927. Page 5)
The Memorial at Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Headquarters, Hamilton shows the name as THOMAS McGOUGHAN.