Bo'ness - 1937 - 3yr old Dies at Playpark

[katylowe1]

Hi all,

ive discovered a pretty nasty story in my family tree and wondered if anyone knew how i could find out more information.

The Story:
William Baillie Livingstone (aged 3) fell off a slide in the playground at the Miners Welfare Park in Bo'ness when a rung gave way - word has it that there was a big hoohah about the comapny who built the playground who offered compensation which was refused. His father said it would not bring his son back. The slide was removed. William was carried in the arms of his big sister Mary all the way home where he died not long after. 28th September 1937 - address:-  9 Dean Brae, Bo;ness

Ive checked the British online newspapers and have come across nothing?

Many Thanks

Katy

[apanderson]

Hello Katy,

To my knowledge, none of the 'local' newspapers for Bo'ness are available online anywhere.

These would be The Falkirk Herald or The Linlithgow Journal and Gazette.

I know the reference departments in both Falkirk & Stirling Central Libraries have the Falkirk Herald on microfilm, although I'm not sure about the Journal.

Falkirk Archives at Callander House also have the Herald on Microfilm - why not send them a message asking if they can do a quick search for you?

http://www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/heritage/archives/

Also, you could try West Lothian Archives  http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/tourism/libservices/ices/ves/430/

Anne

[Forfarian]

There's an article in The Scotsman of 29 September 1937, which tells the same story. If you want it, send me a PM with your private e-mail address.

[tidybooks]

Hi katylowe1,

The same story is in the Glasgow Herald Archives on the 29th September, 1937,

 http://www.rootschat.com/links/0sqo/

page 9, Scottish News about halfway down column 3.

Tom

[katylowe1]

Thank you so much for your replies! Mary the sister was my nan - such a sad story that i dont think she ever told anyone!
x

[katylowe1]

also sorry  - but how would i find details about the compensation story - would it of made the papers?

[tidybooks]

Hi Katy,

I have had a look at the National Archives of Scotland (NAS),  and the only case that looked familiar was
a William B Livingstone and another versus George Wimpey & Co Ltd and others: Damages  Case Reference - CS258/9098. The case is dated 1943, but when you open it up it also gives 1940. So not sure if it is your relatives case, someone would probably need to attend the Archives personally to prove.

Tom

[katylowe1]

Thankyou Tom, ive just emailed them with the reference and asked them to check if it is relevant to the story. Many Thanks again for your help. (i cant believe ive managed to complete a task so quickly!!)

Katy

[tidybooks]

Hi Katy,

Good luck, with your email reply.

Tom