Motion · S3M-07807 · 27 Jan 2011
West Wemyss Monument to Local Heroes
The motion
That the Parliament notes the 70th anniversary of the deaths of four men and a teenage boy who died while attempting to save West Wemyss from a drifting sea mine; understands that, on 23 January 1941, the mine, packed with 320lbs of high explosives, broke free of the moorings that it was anchored to as a defence against U-boats and other enemy shipping; notes that it was drifting toward the village seafront and nearby gas storage tanks; commends the fact that, together, they set off to Lady’s Rock to try to protect the village, and, in case the mine drifted back out to sea, shipping that used the nearby harbours of Methil and Kirkcaldy; understands that two of the men and the teenage boy died instantly when it detonated, and commends the fact that, after a £10,000 fundraising campaign, a monument has been unveiled to mark their heroism and that 350 people attended the ceremony and a service in their memory to commemorate their bravery seven decades later.
Supporters (18)
- Brian Adam 31 Jan 2011
- Claire Baker Scottish Labour 31 Jan 2011
- Patricia Ferguson 31 Jan 2011
- Kenneth Gibson No Party Affiliation 31 Jan 2011
- Charlie Gordon 31 Jan 2011
- James Kelly 31 Jan 2011
- Bill Kidd 31 Jan 2011
- Tricia Marwick 31 Jan 2011
- Dr Richard Simpson 31 Jan 2011
- Shirley-Anne Somerville Scottish National Party 31 Jan 2011
- David Whitton 31 Jan 2011
- Mary Mulligan 1 Feb 2011
- John Park 1 Feb 2011
- Hugh Henry 2 Feb 2011
- Jamie Hepburn Scottish National Party 2 Feb 2011
- Maureen Watt 2 Feb 2011
- Gil Paterson 3 Feb 2011
- Stuart McMillan Scottish National Party 18 Feb 2011
Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.