Burntisland, Fife - Alex Mackinnon

Alex Mackinnon

Iain Mackinnon of Bridge of Earn wrote to me following the death of his father, Alex, in January 2004: "All my life I have heard stories about the shipyard from my Dad - it played such an overwhelming part in his, and many others', lives. There was a real sense of community associated with the place. My Dad's father, brother and uncles all went into the shipyard. When my Dad's brother Willie emigrated to Australia he continued to work in the industry, eventually owning a boat building business in Whyalla and employing quite a few ex-Burntisland men. Shipbuilding must have been in the blood."

Iain also sent me copies of some of his father's shipyard memorabilia, which are shown below. I hope that they will evoke a few memories among former shipyard workers and former colleagues of Alex.

Alex Mackinnon and colleagues     Alex and Willie Mackinnon

Left hand photo: on the left, Alex Mackinnon, with (possibly) the Guyan brothers, David and Jimmy.
Right hand photo: Burntisland High Street, late 1940s - on the left, Alex Mackinnon; on the right, his younger brother Willie.

Alex Mackinnon and colleague

In the photo: on the right, Alex Mackinnon, with (possibly) Adam Martin.
On the right: Alex Mackinnon's union card.

John Mackinnon's apprenticeship letter

Back a generation, to Alex' father, John. Above is the letter he received in 1924 when he completed
his five years' apprenticeship as a plater. And below is the letter which Alex himself received 23 years later.

Alex Mackinnon's apprenticeship letter

Visit of the Prince of Wales

The Prince of Wales (with bowler hat, stooping) visits Burntisland Shipyard in the mid 1930s.
On the left of the picture, with his back to the camera, is Alex Mackinnon's uncle, Neilly McLennan.
Slightly left of centre in the picture, attending to the machine, is John Mackinnon.

Letter notifying employees of the closure of the yard

The end of the road. Alex Mackinnon's copy of the letter from the Chairman of
Burntisland Shipbuilding Company Limited, giving him 14 days notice
of termination of his employment when the company became insolvent.

IAIN SOMMERVILLE
E-mail: iars@fife40.freeserve.co.uk

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