East – Row 4 – 4 – Burns

Transcription

In loving memory of WILLIAM BURNS who died 16th March 1934 aged 39 years. Also JESSIE his wife who died 17th March 1959 aged 67 years.t

Commentary

Willie Burns was killed as a result of an accident at the Coldstream Brewery. Here is the text from 'Second to None - A History of Coldstream' (2010). 'The Brewery was located just off the Market Square but is sadly no longer in existence. In January 1902, the local newspaper reported that the brewery had been burnt to the ground in 1901 but, in reinstatement, had been completely re-modelled with the newest possible brewing equipment installed. About this time, Mr Blaikie became the Head Brewer, moving to Coldstream from Messrs Bernard and Company, Brewers and Maltsters, Edinburgh. Fire wasn’t the only problem for the Brewery as a Coldstream mason, William Burns, succumbed to severe head injuries and died in Coldstream Cottage Hospital on 16 March 1934. Mr Burns had been working on a chimney at the Brewery when he had slipped and fell forty feet in sight of distressed colleagues. His employer was Walter Smith of Orchard House, Duns Road. The deceased had been a very popular man and had been trainer at Coldstream Football Club. He was also in the Territorial Army, 4th Battalion of the Coldstream Guards, in which he was a CSM. He left a wife, a son and three daughters. A Fatal Accident Inquiry was held'.