New Cumnock in its modern form was created around the mining industry and many stones in the new cemetery bear witness to a catalogue of accidents and disasters the most notable of which was the Knockshinnock Disaster of 7th September 1950 in which 13 men lost their lives. The Afton cemetery is also host to some interesting modern Italian style stones (Nos 65-67) one of which bears a small portrait of the deceased. This, of course, is now much more common, but it is unusual to see it in a Scottish stone before the late 1980’s. The centrepiece of the modern cemetery is the memorial to the men of the district who lost their lives in both World Wars, though a smaller memorial in the shape of a Celtic cross also exists in the yard of the Arthur Memorial church in Castlehill.
Interesting Verses
No. 65 - Benedetti “But unto thee O God the lord mine eyes uplifted be, my soul do not leave destitute, my trust is set on thee, the Grace of God our lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit till we meet again. To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.”