Tributes paid to former Dalkeith RFC player Scott ‘Tank’ Cornwall

Former Dalkeith RFC player and longest-serving Bernard Hunter Cranes employee Scott ‘Tank’ Cornwall has died aged 59 following a long illness.

Scott Cornwall from Dalkeith, who worked for Bernard Hunter Mobile Cranes for more than 40 years.

Both his beloved club and employer have paid tribute to Scott, who was born in Woodburn in 1960 and lived in Midlothian his entire life.

Scott joined Bernard Hunter straight from school in 1975, aged 15. His first job was in the car spares department at the company’s Gilmerton Road base. Over the next four decades Scott progressed to the role of mobile crane driver and most recently he drove the firm’s flagship 500-tonne Liebherr mobile crane.

“Scott initially moved from car spares to driving a Poclain TY45 scrap handling machine in our yard, before gaining his driving and HGV licenses.

“He also had every crane operator’s certificate under the sun,” said Jim Rafferty, chairman at Bernard Hunter Mobile Cranes.

In his 44 years of employment, Scott drove the company’s first Liebherr mobile crane in 1994 and he was subsequently handed the keys to a series of brand new flagship Liebherrs with ever increasing lifting capacities.

“Scott started with a 50 ton Liebherr and gradually moved upwards through 90, 120, 160 and 220 tonne mobile cranes. When our first Liebherr 500 tonne mobile crane arrived in late 2011, Scott was the natural choice for this vehicle,” recalled Jim.

In addition to the more standard construction and building industry lifting work, Scott’s career included several landmark crane jobs such as helping to dismantle the Queensferry Crossing’s massive Liebherr tower cranes, shifting the famous cannon, ‘Mons Meg’ at Edinburgh Castle, and the Duke of Wellington statue, in addition to hoisting a valuable Rolls Royce limousine onto the decks at The Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith Docks.

Jim Rafferty concluded: “Scott’s hard work and dedication through his 40 year plus career cannot be underestimated. His contribution to the success of Bernard Hunter was immense. He will be sadly missed by all our staff, customers and suppliers.”

A passion for rugby saw Scott nicknamed ‘Tank’ during his playing days at Dalkeith RFC. He remained closely connected to the club right up to his death on September 7.

On Twitter, the club said: “It is with great sorrow that we inform all members, and friends of Dalkeith RFC, of the passing of Scott ‘Tank’ Cornwall. The thoughts of all at Dalkeith RFC are with Hazel, Kelly, Ryan and their family.”

Scott’s funeral will take place on Friday at Mortonhall crematorium. Due to current restrictions in place, club members who wish to pay their respect are asked to do so as Scott’s cortege passes the rugby club at 11.30am.