89-year-old retiree pays tribute to her grandmother who lost here life saving a child

A TENANT at an Armadale retirement development has paid a proud tribute to her heroic grandmother who died while saving a young child’s life exactly 100 years ago.

Marion McAdam, a tenant at Bield’s Ochilview Court, is the last remaining relative of Elizabeth Kerr who achieved local fame in 1919 when she came to rescue of a three-year-old girl.

On the day of the accident, Elizabeth, who was a local midwife, was in a shop on Armadale’s Main Street when she noticed a little girl stepping onto the road as a car was approaching. Elizabeth instinctively ran from the shop and pushed the girl out of the car’s path but tragically, was killed herself.

To honour Mrs Kerr’s bravery, the close-knit mining community collected money to pay for a memorial which stands proudly at Armadale Cross. A grant was also received from the Carnegie Trust to mark the act of selfless heroism.

A remembrance service was conducted at the memorial on the 100^th anniversary, where local residents, school children and council members were present.

Marion, 89, said: “I wanted to do something to celebrate the occasion as it has been 100 years since the accident.

“My gran was a very popular and brave woman. When she saved that three-year-old girl’s life, she became a hero amongst the community.

“It actually wasn’t the first time she saved a life. She helped the local doctors to nurse my dad back to health after he had been in a coma for two weeks.

“My dad said thank you doctor to which they replied, don’t thank me, thank your mother.

“When I pass the memorial, I always go and put a little flower down and read the words on the lamppost again.

“She was a real inspiration and I am glad we marked the occasion with a lovely celebration.”

The inscription on the memorial reads: In memory of Mrs Elizabeth Kerr, who near this spot on November 29 1919 was fatally injured while saving a child from being over by a passing motor car.  Unbounded courage and compassion joined.

Mabelanne Fraser, Retirement Housing Manager at Bield said: “It’s great to see the local community coming together 100 years after the accident to commemorate the day and to celebrate Elizabeth’s life.

“We know how much this means to Marion and it is lovely to see her sharing her memories and stories with the younger generation.

“The local people created a real sense of community and we know that Elizabeth will continue to live on as a heroic, Armadale resident.”

For more information on Ochilview Court, please see here: https://www.bield.co.uk/housing-care/residential-housing/renting-property/available-properties/ochilview-court-armadale

Bield has been providing high quality housing and related services for older people in Scotland for nearly 50 years, promoting a ‘Free to Be’ ethos that allows older people to live independent lives with assistance available when required.

To find out more about Bield and its developments, visit www.bield.co.uk or follow us on Facebook @bieldhousingandcare and Twitter @BieldScotland

WHY NOT CELEBRATE THE PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF YOUR BUSINESS WITH OUR CHARITY PR EXPERTS?

Getting in touch couldn’t be easier. Simply give us a call on 0131 561 2244 or take a few seconds to fill in the contact form below and one of the team will get straight back to you: