By VIVIENNE NICOLL

A MEMORIAL service has been held to mark Britain’s worst rail disaster which claimed the lives of three children from Maryhill.

In May 1915, five trains were involved in a horrific pile-up at Quintinshill, 10 miles from Lockerbie.

The ensuing inferno took almost 24 hours to control and killed 227 people. All but 12 were members of voluntary battalion the Royal Scots which was travelling from Larbert in Stirlingshire on their way to Gallipoli for action in World War I.

However three young children, who were never identified, also died and were buried in unmarked graves, side-by-side in Glasgow’s Western Necropolis.

Yesterday, a service was held in Larbert in memory of all those who perished with three lanterns lit for the youngsters.

It was arranged by Falkirk councillor and amateur historian Billy Buchanan who attended the service along with Falkirk Lord Provost Pat Reid.

Last year, Mr Buchanan arranged a large service at the Necropolis to mark the 100th anniversary of the tragedy.

He has remained moved by the plight of the three Maryhill children since learning about their terrible deaths.

Mr Buchanan said: “We had the grandeur last year but this year we had a small poignant ceremony to remember those who died.

“It is important we continue to highlight what happened 101 years ago, especially with children involved.

“Some people who died in the war were taken through street lined with thousands of people but the three children were probably taken to their graves in the Necropolis in a wee box on the back of a horse drawn cart.

“These children still remain nameless and like the others burned to death which is horrific.”

Mr Buchanan plans a trip to Glasgow to lay a wreath at their grave and to pay his own private respects to the youngsters.

It is not known why they were on board the fateful train but it is thought they may have sneaked onboard at a siding in Maryhill and were still on board when it out to collect the troops at Larbert.