Local News for Southsiders - October , 2008
“Let the weans eat cake…but don’t take their photie”
At the end of this article is “my own personal memory in connection to swimming and the Clyde is, unfortunately, a sadder story.
I had a wee pal in 74 Crammond Street named Alex Graham. We shared a lot of adventures and trips to the Park.
One particular visit resulted in our football heading over the railings at the back end of the Richy and ending in the River Clyde. Wee Alex tried to get the ball out, but sadly, drowned. I ran home that day and as I remember, hid in the wardrobe until the Police came to the door and took me to where he had entered the water to get the ball.
Ben Parsonage was there in his boat and through time managed to locate wee Alex’s body. That was the first time I ever saw a white coffin as I peeked into the room of the house. Later I stood outside the close as the family carried him out.
In a past conversation with George Parsonage (Ben’s son), I was stunned to learn that the story of Wee Alex is used today when explaining the importance of safety along the river.
Colin Mackie