Contributions . . .

The Gallant Pioneer's Contribution

In late October 2015, I received an email which asked:-

'Hello. My name is Iain McColl. Over the last nine years myself and my colleague Gordon Bell have been researching the lives of a group of kids who in 1872 formed Rangers Football Club in Glasgow. This has culminated in a book and a bus tour of Glasgow which has the full support of Rangers FC. One of the kids was a Peter Campbell who following family tradition set his sights on a life at sea. This was to be cut tragically short in 1883 when his ship the St. Columba bound for India with a cargo of coal left Penarth but went down in a terrible storm in the Bay of Biscay . All lives were lost including Peter who was only 25. Over the last couple of years we've been working on a Restoration of Graves project which has seen us place memorials at the resting places of the lads who formed Rangers and our attention is now focused on Peter Campbell. We would like to explore with yourselves the possibility of having a small plaque placed at Penarth Dock detailing Peter's achievement in forming a football team that went on to become the world's most successful and of course his tragic fate. We look forward to hearing from you and gaining your advice. Regards. Iain McColl.'

Iain's contribution was to send me a copy of the book and permit me to use selected text to illustrate the story of Peter Campbell and his Penarth Dock connection. I provided some contacts who may be able to assist with the plaque project. Good luck with that project and many thanks to Iain and the author of the fascinating book, Mr Gary Ralston.

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