Mary Cairns, died at East Plean Quarry April 20th 1892, and William Maltman, accidentally killed May 20th 1914.

“In memory of Mary Cains, wife of William Maltman, who died at East Plean Quarry, April 20th 1892 aged 49 years…. The above mentioned William Maltman, accidentally killed May 20th 1914, aged 69 years”

William, a carter at Plean Colliery, was weighing coal at the colliery weighbridge when something caused one of his horses to bolt. Maltman was run over by his cart and suffered a fractured pelvis and other internal injuries, which he died from the following day in Stirling Royal Infirmary.

A fatal accident enquiry on 15th July 1914 heard that although there were no witnesses to the accident, it was noted when the runaway horse was captured that one of the drawing harnesses was loose and speculated that this may have come off, startling the horse. The Stirling Observer of 18th July mentions that although Maltman was acquainted with horses, this particular horse was known as being ‘frisky’ and had run away previously.

Interestingly, although the gravestone records him as being 69 years old, a report of the accident in the Dundee Courier lists him as being 70, and the Stirling Observer lists him as being 68.

His wife was also killed in what would appear to be an accident from the inscription – as yet I’ve not been able to find any information about this, but will hopefully find some details and return to it in the future…

Edit March 2021 – Thanks to Lee-anne Lazenby for the following update:

William Maltman was my great,great grandfather.his wife Mary Cairns died at home in Quary cottage east pleanThe mistake was made by the stonemasons and could not be fixed