When I was carrying out the research for my 'Landmarks of
Literacy' exhibition in 1999, I made enquiries at the Carnegie Birthpace Museum about my great-grandfather. My dad had told me that his grandpa was a hero, but we didn't know the details of the story behind it.
The Secretary of the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust, Bill Runciman kindly sent me an extract from the minutes of 1911.
When the exhibition was showing at the museum, the page of the illuminated Roll of Honour where John Blaikie's name appears was displayed, surrounded by my library drawings.
The names of over 6000 heroes are inscribed in the beautifully illustrated Roll of Honour, which is kept on permanent display at the Carnegie Birthplace Museum in Dunfermline.
The Hero Fund Trust was established in 1908, four years after its American counterpart, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, had been set up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As at 2001 the fund amounted to over £4.5 million.
JOHN BLAIKIE, railway porter, Polmont, on the 5th August 1911 risked his life in getting a barrow out of the way with the object of keeping the line clear when an express train was approaching. (Case 720).
This case was reported on the 18th August,1911 by Mr W.F. Jackson, General Manager of the North British Railway Company, Edinburgh. Mr Jackson also furnished an account of the occurrence and stated that the attention of the directors would be drawn to the conduct of porter John Blaikie. |
The extract shown above is from the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust minutes of 1911 and it details the incident in which my great-grandfather was involved, which was subsequently recognised by the funds trustees. It is written in the "Boy's Own" style of the times.
Front and reverse sides of bronze medallion of the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust.
The inscription on the front reads "He serves God best who nobly serves humanity".
The reverse side is inscribed "For heroic endeavour to save human life".
Page from the first volume of the Roll of Honour featuring my great-grandfather's exploits. Derrick Barclay, the Curator of the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum put this page on display while my exhibition was at the museum.
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Introduction |
Andrew Carnegie |
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Early Carnegie Libraries |
American Libraries
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Scottish Architecture |
Edwardian Renaissance |
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Baroque Extravagance |
Library Architecture |
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Inside the Libraries |
Carnegie Hero |
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Exhibition |
England, Ireland, USA
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All original artwork, photography and text © Gerald Blaikie
Unauthorised reproduction of any image on this website is not permitted.