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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Lee Dalgetty

Glasgow man searching for parents' pals 60 years after lorry crash killed brother

Craig Robertson was born four years after a tragic accident on Springburn Road that killed his 14-month-old brother Thomas.

Sixty years ago this month, on May 19, 1962, a lorry driver mounted the pavement after being in a collision with a car.

The accident would cause unspeakable pain and suffering for Craig Robertson's family.

Catherine and James Robertson, Craig’s parents, were out on a shopping trip pushing their 14-month-old son - Craig's elder brother, Thomas - in the pram when the lorry hit them.

Now Craig is looking to get in touch with anyone who knew his parents or was around at the time of the accident.

The Sunday Mail reported at the time that a group of women comforted Catherine while ambulances arrived - and Craig would also like to trace these women too.

READ MORE - Remembering the tragic Glasgow fire that killed seven firemen

After the accident, both parents were taken to Stobhill Hospital to recover.

While both made it home, James passed away in 1967, living long enough to see the birth of two children, with Catherine carrying memories of the tragic incident with her until her death in 2007.

Speaking to Glasgow Live, Craig said: “I wasn’t born when the accident happened, and I was only one when my dad died, so I don’t have many first-hand memories of him.

“As for mum, she struggled to talk about the accident. We rarely ever spoke about it, and on the occasions we did she would be overcome with emotion.”

Since losing his mother, Craig has kept in touch with cousins - some of whom remember the horrible day well. His decision to reach out for others who may recall his parents, and the accident, was made when Craig realised it was now or never.

He said: “I thought I needed to try and reach out now because if I don’t do it soon, anyone who remembers my parents will be gone.

“My mother would be approaching 95, so at best some of the people that knew her would be in their late 80s or early 90s.”

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Through posting on the Glasgow Back in Time Facebook group, Craig was informed of a man who had worked at The Boundary Bar, - - which sits on the road where the accident happened - who had witnessed the accident but has since passed.

James Robertson was born in 1929, and grew up in Blackhill. He did his national service in the Highland Light Infantry in the 40s, which included a stint of time in Malayasia.

Catherine Robertson (maiden name Hemphill) worked as a sewing machinist in S&P Harris, after growing up in Milton. At the time of the accident the family was living at 60 Couper Street, Townhead.

Shortly after 1962, the Robertson’s moved to Lochend Road in Easterhouse. In October of the same year, the driver of the lorry was sentenced to three years in jail.

James Allan, 25, was under a two-year ban from driving at the time of the accident. He was found guilty of being unfit to drive due to drinking or drugs as well as causing the death of the baby, and also admitted to the charges of stealing a lorry and driving without insurance.

Whilst Craig had assumed the driver had been punished, he was unaware of the details until sent old newspaper clippings. He told us: “It was quite emotional when I found that out because it said he had kids and a wife. I can’t imagine what they would’ve gone through as well, with him getting sent away.”

If you have any information that might be useful to Craig, his post in the Glasgow Back in Time Facebook group can be found here.

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