David Gilmour (trade unionist)

Born at Joppa in Ayrshire,[1] Gilmour worked there as a coal miner before moving to Hamilton in Lanarkshire to find new employment in the industry.

He found work at the Old Eddlewood Colliery, where he was soon elected as checkweighman and was a leading founder member of the Lanarkshire Miners' County Union (LMCU).

He remained involved with union while transferring to work at nearby Bent Colliery, then, when the LMCU decided to appoint a full-time secretary, he was elected to the post, serving for more than twenty years.

[2] Gilmour was active in the wider labour movement, and stood unsuccessfully for the Scottish Workers Representation Committee at the 1906 general election in Falkirk Burghs.

[5] Gilmour was a supporter of British involvement in World War I, and served as the labour advisor to the Ministry of National Service, an issue which was divisive among members of his union.