Quintinshill rail crash: Memorial service held for 100th anniversary of worst UK rail disaster

A memorial service will be held to commemorate the 100<sup>th anniversary of Britian's worst rail disaster.

More than 200 soldiers were killed after a train derailed and caught fire at Quintinshill, near Gretna Green, south-west Scotland on 22 May 1915.

The Princess Royal and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be attending the special service today (22 May), at the Rosebank Cemetery in Edinburgh where a memorial carries the name of everyone who died.

The soldiers from the Royal Scots were travelling in a train on their way to Gallipoli, when it crashed into a train which was stationary at the mainline near the Scottish and English border.

Shortly after, a Glasgow-bound express train then smashed into the wreckage at the Quintinshill signal box causing a devastating fire which engulfed the troops' train.

The two signalmen controlling the line were both sent to prison.

Twelve civilians were also killed and a further 246 people were injured – however, the death toll remains unclear to this day.

Other commemorative events include a march to Quintinshill, the unveiling of a roll of honour at Gretna Old Parish Church and a tree planting at Gretna Green war memorial.