MEMORIES FROM WESTRAY

Mother’s Day May the 9th will mark the 29th Anniversary of the Westray Mine Disaster in Pictou County.

It seems like yesterday, yet so much time has passed and life goes on, but one never forgets the loss of 26 fellow workers, that night in 1992, or those that were left behind to grieve they say time heals all wounds, but unless you suffered those wounds one would never agree. Those that were lost that night ranged in age from 25-58 – good men, husbands, fathers, grandpa’s and boyfriends.

All were loved or cherished by some.

As I remember them a couple of stories come to mind. A sad one: that evening as I was on my way home after shift, I was changing in the change room for the miners and staff when a fellow sitting on the bench, dressed ready to go underground spoke to me. I looked up and there sat Peter Vickers! I said, “What the hell are you doing here?” His reply was, “I’m a miner now, Don.”

“Peter, that’s a long way from the stores clerk’s job, you had at the Port Hawkesbury Heavy Water Plant.”

He laughed and we agreed to go for coffee on our next days off. Peter died that night!

The other story is about the oldest fellow we lost, John Bates. On the lighter side, the shift was in the lunchroom and someone asked “John, how do you meet so many women?” and his reply was, “Well I go to the laundromat and pretend that I have no clue how to use the washers or dryers. Being an Englishman, they are willing to help so I chat them up, and get to go for coffee or a lunch.”

We all laughed.

So, do I remember them all? No, but if I see the face or the name it brings me back to that time, some stand out as we did work opposite shifts.

But after 29 years one never forgets the pain of a tragedy like that so as the anniversary comes around, makes one wonder what happened to all the others that survived, what are they doing how many are still alive?

As the years slide by, one on top of the other, I can say that I don’t know the grief the families are feeling, but can tell you as a fellow worker of the lives lost, you never forget!

So, to those that lost love ones in the Portapique and surrounding areas., time will go on and your mind and your heart will heal slowly, so as you have good days and bad days , there will come a time when the good days will outweigh the bad!

So, for those of you who wonder why anyone would work in such a hell hole, as Westray, this is your answer my hourly rate in May of 1992 was $15.89 per hour and miners were paid more, it came down to money or safety.

So, in conclusion, to all Nova Scotians, suffering the loss of a loved one: I leave you with this quote, from U.S. President Joe Biden, “A smile will come to your face before a tear comes to your eye, then you know you made it.” However, you will never forget!

Words are only words, until they mean something to you!

Kindest regards, D.M. Dickson Former Westray Worker