Timeline of mining accidents in south wales/Avon valley

Afan & Llynfi

South Wales

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1890

1892

1893

1896

1899

1905

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1955

1956

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1971

1894

1929 : 2

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Back To Front Page1890

Morfa Colliery, TaibachThe Morfa Colliery was well known to be a very gassy mine. In 1863, 30 miners had been killed in an explosion and in 1870, 38 miners had died in another explosion.In the early hours of Tuesday 10th March 1890, when about 250 miners were working below ground there was another violent explosion. Those who made their escape did so only after a long and painful struggle. Everyone was so weak that as men fell insensible they had to be abandoned. Even the rescue parties suffered casualties. In total 87 Miners lost their lives, only 42 bodies were recovered.Locked safety lamps were in mandatory use and after the disaster members of the exploration party examined every safety lamp found near bodies, all were in a safe condition except one lamp that had been unlocked and they believe this caused the explosion.

In the glass cabinet there is a hatchet head from the incident labelled: Item 1

Death Roll

Back To Front Page1890 Death Roll Back

William Barras Manager 75 Body not recovered

Griffith Bevan Collier 27 or 32 Taibach Body not recovered

Daniel Brownsell (or possibly Brownsill)

Explorer 36 or 40 Constant After Damp, cardiac failure

Daniel Buckley Pumper 29 - Firedamp, Burns

John Buckley Pumper 35 - Firedamp, Burns

William Henry Clathurthy (Clatworthy)

Pumper 18 Morfa Firedamp, Burns, both arms fractured

Thomas Daniel Airwayman 29 - Body not recovered

James (or John) David Collier 42 or 40 Bridge Row Body not recovered

Thomas David Repairer 46 or 47 Bridge Row Fire Damp, Burns

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Back To Front Page1890 Death Roll

David Davies Repairer 33 or 35 Gwarrycaeau Body not recovered

Ebenezer Davies Collier 31 or 36 Miners Row Body not recovered

Meridith Davies Collier 31 Constant Body not recovered

Thomas Davies Hitcher 19 or 20 Stone Row Firedamp, Burns

Evan Eley Collier 37 or 40 White Row Firedamp, Burns

Edward Ellis Collier 37 or 40 Chapel Row Firedamp, Burns

Edward (Ted) Floyd Collier 25 or 32 Constant Body not recovered

William Francis Collier 28 or 34 Taibach Firedamp, Burns

Daniel (Dan) Griffiths Collier 40 or 42 Stone Row Body not recovered

John Griffiths Collier 42 or 52 Gwyncaeau Body not recovered

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Samuel (Sam) Griffiths Collier 50 Stone Row Firedamp, Burns

Evan Hedley Repairer 30 or 40 Kenfig Hill Body not recovered

Bethuel Heycock (Haycock) Haulier 19 Bridge Row Afterdamp, Aspyxia

David Hopkins Haulier 48 or 52 Incline Row Firedamp, Burns

Thomas Hopkins Collier 51 or 53 Brick Row Body not recovered

John Hopton Haulier 24 - Body not recovered

Samuel Howells (Howell) Collier 46 Panymach Body not recovered

William James Collier 35 Constant Body not recovered

William James Collier 40 or 41 Stone Row Body not recovered

Frederick William Jenkins Greaser 16 Brick Row Firedamp, Burns

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Daniel John Collier 57 Bridge Row Firedamp, Burns

David John or Manney Jones Collier 50 or 52 Aberavon Firedamp, Burns

John Jones Collier 26 Taibach Body not recovered

Joseph Jones Collier 52 Bridge Row Body not recovered

William Jones Collier 35 or 40 Constant Body not recovered

William J. Jones Hitcher 18 Taibach Firedamp, Burns

Thomas Kemp Haulier 19 - Firedamp, Burns

Patrick (Pat) Kennedy Pumper 46 - Firedamp, Burns

David King Collier 33 or 38 Miners Row Body not recovered

Benjamin (Ben) Lewis Collier 28 or 40 Stone Row Body not recovered

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John Lewis Collier 33 or 38 West End Body not recovered

Simeon (Sim) Lewis Collier 27 Taibach Afterdamp

Thomas Lewis Collier 42 or 40 Goitre Body not recovered

William Lewis Collier 34 or 36 Brick Row Firedamp, Burns

William Lewis Collier 45 or 46 Goitre Body not recovered

John Leyshon Repairer 35 or 40 Taibach Firedamp, Burns

Thomas Leyshon Collier 30 - Body not recovered

Thomas Leyshon Collier 46 or 48 Stone Row Body not recovered

William Leyshon Collier 49 or 50 Constant Body not recovered

Richard Lucas (Lewis) Haulier 36 or 40 Taibach Body not recovered

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Noah Mandry (Mainwaring) Collier 34 or 50 Cwmbrombil Body not recovered

Thomas Mandry (Mainwaring) Collier 45 - Afterdamp

David Matthew (Matthews) Collier 28 or 30 White Row Body not recovered

Thomas Miles Collier 47 or 48 Penycae Firedamp, Burns

Evan Morgan Signalman 20 or 21 Brick Row Firedamp, Burns

Evan Morgan Collier 33 Taibach Body not recovered

John Morris Overman 46 or 47 Morfa Firedamp, Burns

John Morris Collier 46 or 44 Stone Row Fire Damp, Burns

John Nichols (Nicholls or Nicholas)

Airwayman 62 or 65 Salt Lake Body not recovered

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John Henry Nicholls (Nicholas) Junior

Collier 28 or 29 Taibach Firdamp, Burns all over body

Thomas Oats (Oates) Junior Collier 20 Brick Row Firedamp, Burns

Henry Parker Labourer 44 - Body not recovered

Alfred Phillips Collier 40 Brick Row Body not recovered

John Pippin (Peppin) Collier 34 or 39 Brick Row Body not recovered

David Price Haulier 32 or 36 Tanygroes Firedamp, Burns

John Ready Repairer 50 or 58 Aberavon Body not recovered

David Rees Ostler 40 Groeswen Firedamp, Burns

Lewis Rees Collier 40 or 42 Brick Row Body not recovered

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David Richards Collier 35 or 36 Stone Row Body not recovered

William Scott Collier 29 or 31 Gibson Firedamp, Burns

William Taylor Junior Haulier 15 - Firedamp, Burns

Evan Thomas Collier 37 or 34 Cwmbrombil Body not recovered

Joseph Thomas Collier 50 Penycae Body not recovered

Thomas (or William) Thomas Collier 30 or 32 Margam Body not recovered

James Tippott (Tippett) Haulier 16 or 17 Taibach Firedamp, Burns

William Vanstone Collier 31 or 32 Penycae Body not recovered

Isaac Walters Collier 49 or 50 Taibach Firedamp, Burns

Joseph Weeks (Hicks) Hitcher 20 or 26 Aberafon Firedamp, Burns

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David Williams Collier 46 or 49 Stone Row Body not recovered

David Williams Hitcher 19 Stone Row Firedamp, Burns

Henry Williams Repairer 66 or 70 Aberafon Body not recovered

Isaac Williams Collier 47 or 50 Constant Body not recovered

Joseph (or James) Williams Repairer 16 or 32 Taibach Firedamp, Burns

Thomas Henry Williams Collier 31 or 36 Brick Row Firedamp, Burns

David Wyld (Wild) Roadman 40 - Firedamp, Burns

Thomas Yorwerth (Yorath) Haulier 33 or 38 Taibach Body not recovered

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Scattern, BlaengwynfiOn the 30th September, eight of the Shaft Sinkers were killed when the bonk they were in over wound.An inquest was held and a verdict of accidental death was recorded. The mines inspector at the time made the following comment:“My opinion was, and still is, that the engine man had his attention taken off his work for a moment by the entrance of his mate to relieve him. While raising the bonk with the men in it, he allowed the bonk to ascend too far before shutting off the steam and appling the break. Discovering his mistake he lost his head and over wound the bonk. I believe that the machinery was in perfect order.This mine closed in 1926

Death RollWilliam Carpenter 45

William Evans 51

Humphery Jenkins 28

James O’Conner 35

Thomas Thomas 28

William Thomas 35

Dan Thomas 32



Avon, Aber/BlaengwynfiThe pit was sunk between 1877 and 1882 by Sir. Daniel Gooch, the chairman of the Great Western Railway.The decision to sink the pit came about upon the completion of the Bridgend to Blaengwynfi branch of the Great Western Railway. The chairman, Sir. Daniel Gooch, decided to supply its locomotives with coal from his own mine.Like all mines there were accidents every year resulting in the deaths of miners, and this is an example of one year.

Death RollMay Edward Hughes 21 Run over by drams

July Isaac Jenkins 45 Roof Fall

November David Simeon 21 Roof Fall



Garth, MaestegThis Colliery Started production in 1864 and closed in 1930, during this period of 66 years there were 47 fatalities.This is a record of just one of the accidents which occurred on 11th June, resulting in the death of nine miners in an over winding accident.The pit cage was over wound caused by a brake failure, following the accident legislation was introduced to ensure that automatic breaking devices were used to prevent a repetition of the disaster (overwind detaching hook).

Death RollGeorge Akerman 17

John Davies 29

Lewis Guest 27

Edgar Howells 13

John Howells 31

David Lewis 25

John Rees 16

Thomas Rees 39

John Thomas 14



Glen Avon (level)On Wednesday the 24th October a Fearful disaster struck this colliery resulting in the deaths by drowning of five miners.A heading in the colliery was being opened in the direction of some old workings from Caerau Colliery. The new workings were apparently being driven under the abandoned workings of the Caerau Colliery which were flooded, resulting in the roof collapsing and water rushing into the new workings with fatal consequences.The majority of miners underground at this time did manage to escape to the surface

Death RollThomas Curtis 58

Evan Jenkins 40

David Jones 50

Rees Jenkins 42

David Jenkins 42

The photograph used on the timeline was taken in 1927 and the colliers in the photograph from left to right are Dai Powell, Jim Ware Joe Powell, and Dai Jones



Maesteg deep (Drift)This Colliery started production in 1868 and closed in 1930, during this period of 62 years there were 33 fatalities.This is a record of just one year in the life of this colliery when 7 miners as a result of numerous accidents.

Death Roll24 April R.J. Llewellyn 36 Crushed By Machine

25 April David Williams 26 Crushed by Cage

18 June Evan Rees 24 Killed by Fall

11 July Henry Dodd 46 Struck by Dram

25 Nov William Hopkins 32 Run over by Journey

26 Nov Henry Radford 32 Run over by Dram

27 Nov Joseph Rees 59 Hit by Falling Rock



Coegnant MaestegThis Colliery Started production in 1881 and closed in 1981, During this period of 100 years there were 101 fatalities, this is a record of just one year in the 100 years of this colliery when five miners died.

Death Roll1 January David Thomas 34 Roof Fall

17 May Thomas H Jarvis 28 Roof Fall

7 July John Thomas 60 Roof Fall

27 July Jonah Jones 26 Roof Fall

29 July Fred Barton 30 Fall of Coal



Cynon CollieryThis Colliery was opened in 1894 by David Rees and Company of Port Talbot and employed 30 men underground and 4 surface workers.The shaft was 20 feet in diameter and sunk to a depth of 200 yards. In an attempt to attract labour to the area Cynonville garden village was constructed in 1910 but the start of World War One prevented the completion of the scheme. After only two streets were built. In 1920 the workforce had grown to 500 men but did not reach this level of employment ever agin and was closed by N.C.B. In 1947. However it was worked under licence from the N.C.B. In the 1950’s and 1960’s.This is a record of the miners who died in one year

Death Roll6 July John David 24 Fall of Roof

30 August John Stone 45 Fall of Roof

28 September Thomas W. Williams 21 Crushed by drams



Caerau CollieryThis Colliery started production in 1890 and closed in 1977. During this period of 87 years there were 108 fatalities this is a record of one year in the working life of this colliery when five miners died.

Death Roll23 January Thomas Owen 22 Rum over by Dram

10 April Edward A Webb 16 Roof Fall

21 October Moses Evan 64 Roof Fall

George Williams 34

Gwilym Davies 39



Oakwood, PontrhydyfenThis mine consisted of numerous slants and pits. There were around 63 slants worked during the life of the mine. The first was abandoned in 1851 and the last when the mine closed in 1927. On the 18th November an explosion occurred when three miners were killed and two others were injured. Luckily it occurred at the end of the night shift when only 40 men of the normal compliment were underground.

Death RollFather and son James and Handel Davies

A third, unknown, fatality



Drift Mines and Levels, Llynfi ValleyThere were numerous drift mines and levels working in the Llynfi Valley during the period of this Timeline (ie between 1890 and 1990) and as with any Mining operation, be it large or small, there are always fatalities.This is a record of an accident in a level mine at Caerau.

Death Roll28th August Ivor squires 26 Buried Under Fall

Charles Hall 42 Buried Under Fall

Cyril Gibbs 17 Buried Under Fall

The photograph on the timeline shows a typical drift mine of the time.



Argoed (Slant)This Mine was opened in 1890 and worked by Llewellyn Howell And Company in the number 3 Rhondda Seam for house coal.The High Point for the mine was 1916 when 250 Miners were employed.It was Abandoned in 1927 Although it was worked under License from the NCB in the 1950’s.

One Miner, Mr William Thomas, aged 30, Died on the 6th July under a Fall Of Stone.



Bryn Navigation, MaestegThis Mine was sunk 1896 with one shaft to a depth of 380 yard and a 700 yard long slant.Over the years this Colliery claimed several lives before it’s closure in 1963.Among the fatalities was popular Billy Beynon a tough Professional Boxer who won the British Bantamweight Championship in 1913. While working with his son Brinley, he was killed by the fall of a large rock called a ‘Pan’ on the 20th July, His grave at Goytre Cemetery Being marked by a Headstone Bearing a pair of boxing gloves.



NantewlaithThis mine consisted of a level and two pits and was opened by Gibbs Navigation Collieries LTD and in 1915 it was listed as “sinking”.It had its own coal preparation plant (Washery), producing class 201A drysteam coal Low Volatile Usually non caking and used for steam raising in boilers for ships, Locomotives, Power Stations, etc.Nantewlaith was closed in November 1948.

Death RollDavid Miles Fall of Roof

Display photo



Duffryn

Death Roll

Missing information.

Missing information.



Caerau CollieryAn Accident Occurred in November which resulted on the death of a young boy, The following is from a Newspaper cutting from 2nd November 1946:

“A 28 year old Colliery Brakeman and an 8 year old boy were killed on Saturday when they were struck by a runaway truck at the Caerau colliery. The victims were Evan Tanner, a married man with four children of Caerau Road and Walter Ashford, the elder son of Mr and Mrs Ashford of Victoria Street.The accident was not witnessed but it appears that the man and boy, alarmed by unexpected noise from two runaway trucks, dashed from the brakeman’s cabin on the colliery sidings into the path of the uncontrolled trucks and were both killed”

No reason can be found as to why an eight year old boy was on the colliery site.



ST. Johns, MaestegThis Colliery started production in 1908 and closed in November 1985. During this period of 77 years there were 52 fatalities.This is a record of one year in the working life of this colliery when three miners died

Death Roll30 June Percy Coleman 36 Struck by Drams

16 September William Jones 49 Struck by Drams

12 December Jonah Rowe 36 Roof Fall



Garth TonmawrA National coal board broadsheet cites the opening date of this pit as 1864 but no records can be found before 1917 wgen it was called Blaenmawr Colliery. It was taken over by Garth Collieries LTD in 1929 who then renamed the mine Garth.On nationalisation in 1947 it employed 201 men and the point of highest manpower was in 1957 when 211 men worked the mine. It closed in June 1964.Two fatalities occurred in 1952.

Death RollIdwal Rowlands Killed in March

Thomas Treharne Killed in April



GlyncorrwgOn 13th January there was an explosion that injured twenty four miners.At around 9:30 AM a collier was adding roofing bars (these were called ‘Schloms’) which were manufactured from aluminium and held rigid by a steel wedge for driving into a slot. A deflected hammer blow produced a spark that caused an explosion of methane gas out of which a flame shot along the coal face.Out of the 32 miners that were working the coal face, 17 received severe burns, 7 were slightly burned, and 8 were untouched.Following the explosion, the use of aluminium at the coal face was prohibited.List of Serious injuriesB. Baker C. Bowen D. Bowen R. Busher V. Casey I. Davies

R. Griffiths T. Griffiths V. Grinvalds G. Howells V. Lewis D. McGluskie

W.J. Owen W. Pinkham R. Sutton E. Thomas

List of Slight injuriesW.G. Davies W.D. Davies A. Grant R. Hill C. James B. Thomas P. Williams

This was a small Privately owned coal level in the hill above the little village of Bryn, Port Talbot.On a Monday morning in June, an explosion occurred which resulted in the deaths of three miners and the injury of two others.The cause of the ignition of gas which brought instantaneous death to the three miners remains a Mystery, as they were the only miners working in the coal face where the Blast occurred.


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Bryn Level (Private Mine)

Death Roll

Injuries

Gwilym Jones 39 Deputy

Richard Morgan 44 Collier

Terry Simmons 21 Collier

David Morgan 28

David Jenkins

1964


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Avon, Aber/BlaengwynfiThe pit was sunk between 1877 and 1882 by Sir. Daniel Gooch, the chairman of the Great Western Railway.The decision to sink the pit came about upon the completion of the Bridgend to Blaengwynfi branch of the Great Western Railway. The chairman, Sir. Daniel Gooch, decided to supply its locomotives with coal from his own mine.Like all mines there were accidents every year resulting in the deaths or injuries of miners. This accident Happened in February of the year

1965

Death Roll

Injuries

Mr G Harris 37 Deputy Croeserw

Mr T. Miller - - Villiers Rd. Blaengwnfi


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Duffryn, RhonddaThis pit consisted of both numbers 1 and 2 pits and slants.The number 1 slant was driven around 1878 and the number 2 slant in 1898 and was opened by the Duffryn Rhondda colliery company.The number 1 and 2 pits were sunk from 1903 and the pit closed in 1966, It produced house, manufacturing and steam coals.This accident happened to a mine worker employed on the surface as a crane driver, who lost his life when the crane toppled over.

1966

Death RollIvor Evans 53 Crane Driver

Photograph



Maesteg WasheryThe last mining death in the Llynfi valley happened at the washery at Maesteg on the 4th February when Mr Lyw M. Thomas, aged 40 was buried in coal slurry



Cefn Mawr (Drift)This was a small drift mine worked under licence from British coal by Quotecast LTD.There was an accident on 2nd February resulting in the death of Mr Raymond Enoch, aged 47 who was crushed by a fall. He was the last miner to die in the Afan Valley.

Account by Alan Price (a member of our museum)


Back To Front Page1990 Account

“Friday the 2/2/1990 was just like any other day. David Williams, Reymond Enoch, Terry Coburn and myself were working in the 18”Wenallt seam.We broke into the coal and had filled 113 drams by 12 noon. We noted that the top was good and sounded safe. We decided to go to the surface for a tea break and for the boys to have a fag. I reported to the manager about the good condition of the coalface and how pleased we were about it.Well, After 20 minutes we again entered the mine and were at the coalface in about 10 minutes. We then decided to split up into two groups. David and Ray would go into the face to fill coal, terry and I would bore into the gate heading which could be fired and would give us extra drams of coal. Suddenly we heard a scream coming from the direction where our butties were working and we crawled in as fast as possible. When we got there I could see David screaming and in terrible pain. He had been hit by this massive boulder, but was shouting that ‘Ray is under it’. I told David to get to the surface and let the manager and surface workers know what had happened . Terry and I then tried to lift the huge boulder off Raymond with an old dram rail, but the boulder was too heavy. At this time Raymond was alive and shouting for us to release him from this trap. In the end all I could do was comfort my butty until he died.

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Llannerch Colliery Explosion, PontypoolThe explosion occurred About 8:30 AM on the 6th February in a district called Cook’s Slope.One Hundred and Seventy Six men were killed and another ten were injured. This was the total number in that district and back to pit-bottom.At the time of the explosion a very heavy fall of ground had happened at the mouth of No. 4 Heading and it appears that the cavity was full of gas. It appears that the gas was ignited by the naked lights of the men who were repairing this area.There were previous explosions in this colliery: Once in 1869 where seven men were killed and another in 1889 which had no fatalities but two men were badly burned. This prompted the inspector of mines to advise the mine owners to introduce closed safety lamps. A letter dated December 5th and signed by Edward Jones, The managing Director of the mine, stated “At present we think that the colliery is thoroughly well ventilated and safe to work with naked lights.

Death Roll

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Adams. James 27 Potnwynydd

Allsop, William 54 Snatchwood

Ashman, George 20 Pentwyn Tips

Ashman, Thomas 22 Pentwyn Tips

Ashman, William 17 Pentwyn Tips

Bailey, William 15 Pentrepoid

Bayliss, William John 21 Abersychan

Beard, John 63 Abersychan

Bevan, Joseph 37 Pentwyn Tips

Bingham, Arthur W 15 Pontypool

Bridges, Frederick C 17 Snatchwood

Bridges, Lewis Albert 29 Snatchwood

Bridges, Mark 55 Snatchwood

Bridges, Williams 19 Snatchwood

Bright, James 14 Talywain

Bright, Samuel Francis 15 Pentrepoid

Brimble, David 12 Garndiffaith

Brimble, Oliver 15 Garndiffaith

Brimble, William 17 Garndiffaith

Bryant, Albert John 24 Abersychan

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Carey, John 31 Abersychan

Carpenter, Gabriel 47 Snatchwood

Carpenter, Jesse 15 Snatchwood

Cook, James 31 Snatchwood

Cook, John 37 Abersychan

Cullis, William 25 Pontypool

Davies, Daniel 24 Snatchwood

Davies, Edward 56 Snatchwood

Davies, Edward C 14 Snatchwood

Davies, George 37 Snatchwood

Davies, John 34 Garndiffaith

Davies, William 45 The British

Davies, William 14 The British

Dobbs, William 24 Abersychan

Downs, John 32 Abersychan

Driscoll, James 52 Talywain

Edwards, John 20 Abersychan

Edwards, Robert 15 Abersychan

Evans, John 12 Pontypool

Filer, Thomas 28 Talywain

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Finn, William 17 Tranch, Pontypool

Furber, Robert 15 Abersychan

Gauntlett, John 55 Snatchwood

George, Joseph 13 Abersychan

George, William 54 Abersychan

Godwin, William J 14 Cymffrwdoer

Gouch, Richard 60 Abersychan

Greasley, James 23 Pontnewynydd

Greasley, Samuel 27 Pontnewynydd

Greasley, Thomas 19 Pontnewynydd

Gwillyn, Charles 14 Talywain

Harper, William 28 Abersychan

Hayes, William 19 Abersychan

Hillier, Henry 31 Abersychan

Hoare, Henry 17 Tranch, Pontypool

Hoskins, John James 39 Abersychan

Howells, David 13 Abersychan

Howells, Henry 15 Pontypool

Howells, John 17 The British

Howells, Joseph 12 Abersychan

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Howells, Joseph 35 Pontypool

Ivory, Daniel 21 Pentwyn Tips

Ivory, Robert 26 Pentwyn tips

James, George 53 Talywain

James, James 14 Talywain

James, James (Iago) 60 Talywain

James, John 45 Snatchwood

James, Samuel 19 Abersychan

James, Thomas 14 Abersychan

James, Thomas 20 Talywain

Jeremiah, Azariah 57 Talywain

Jones, Albert 14 Abersychan

Jones, David 14 Abersychan

Jones, Edward 33 The British

Jones, Edward 60 Talywain

Jones, Edwin 34 Abersychan

Jones, James 31 Garndiffaith

Jones, John 41 Snatchwood

Jones, John 20 Abersychan

Jones, John Giles 64 Cwmffrwdoer

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Jones, Samuel 43 Talywain

Jones, William 17 Abersychan

Jones, William John 15 Snatchwood

Lacey, Thomas 19 Abersychan

Langley, Alfred 15 Pontypool

Langley, Oliver 41 Abersychan

Llewellyn, James 36 Cwmnantddu

Lewis, Elias 13 Pentwyn Tips

Lewis, James 31 Snatchwood

Lewis, John 17 Twynyffrwd

Lewis, Joseph 24 Abersychan

Lewis, Lewis 25 Abersychan

Lewis, Thomas 36 Abersychan

Lewis, Thomas 15 Cwmffrwdoer

Lewis, Thomas 41 Cwmffrwdoer

Loveridge, Nep 27 Abersychan

Martin, Frederick 21 Pentwyn Tips

Mathews, Edwin 42 Snatchwood

Meadows, Benjamin 52 Snatchwood

Meadows, James 31 Snatchwood

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Morgan, Henry 49 Pontypool

Morgan, John 17 Snatchwood

Morgan, Thomas 24 Pontypool

Morgan, Thomas 27 Pontnewynyndd

Morgan, Thomas 41 Tranch, Pontypool

Morgan, William John

21 Pontypool

Morris, Willam 15 Pentwyn Tips

Oram, Thomas 18 Abersychan

Parfitt, Mark 21 Abersychan

Parfitt, Alfred Fred 41 Abersychan

Parfitt, George 12 Abersychan

Phelps, Ebenezer 22 Twynyffrwd

Phillips, Thomas Henry 24 Twynyffrwd

Plenty, William 35 Abersychan

Powell, Albert 14 Freehold Land

Powell, Philip 29 Abersychan

Price, Edmund 15 Talywain

Price, John Tudor 14 Abersychan

Pritchard, James 13 Snatchwood

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Pritchard, Rosser 37 Snatchwood

Pritchard, Thomas 12 Snatchwood

Pritchard, Joseph 19 Talywain

Reed, William 32 Abersychan

Rees, David 19 Abersychan

Rees, David 25 Pontnewynydd

Reed, Joseph 13 Pontnewynydd

Regan, John 16 Abersychan

Regan, William 14 Abersychan

Robertson, Edgar 14 Pentwyn Tips

Rogers, Watkin 37 Snatchwood

Rogers, William 13 Abersychan

Rogers, Lewis 29 Abersychan

Rossiter, George Henry 31 Pontypool

Ruck, Thomas 21 Pontypool

Rudge, George 27 Talywain

Samuel, John 23 Abersychan

Shaw, Alfred 13 The British

Shaw, Charles 14 Abersychan

Shaw, Sidney 37 The British

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Silcox, Leonard 32 Abersychan

Skye, Richard 28 Freehold Land

Smith, Mathew 29 Pontypool

Sullivan, Jeremiah 14 Abersychan

Thomas, Alfred 21 Snatchwood

Thomas, Charles 26 Snatchwood

Thomas, James 41 Talywain

Thomas, John 24 Talywain

Thomas, Joseph 29 Talywain

Thomas, William 18 Snatchwood

Trollope, Francis 40 Abersychan

Trollope, George 29 Abersychan

Tudgay, James 46 Talywain

Tudgay, Joseph 22 Talywain

Tudgay, William 32 Talywian

Vater, David 61 Pontnewynydd

Walby, Thomas 28 Cwmffrwdoer

Weaver, Albert 18 Snatchwood

Webb, Daniel 21 Talywain

Webb, James 22 Abersychan

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Webber, John Arthur 20 Abersychan

White, John 28 Pontnewynydd

Wilcox, Charles 17 Pentwyn Tips

Wilcox, John 54 Pentwyn Tips

Wilcox, Samuel 21 Pentwyn Tips

Williams, John 16 Pontnewynydd

Williams, Thomas 34 Abersychan

Williams, Thomas 63 Snatchwood

Williams, William 35 Pentwyn Farm

Williams, William 12 Pentwyn Farm

Williams, William 64 Garndiffaith

Williams, William 16 Talywain

Williams, William 34 Tranch, Pontypool

Williams, William 15 Abersychan

Williams, William H 18 Snatchwood

Woods, William 18 Snatchwood

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Park Slip, Aberkenfig (Drift Mine)The explosion occurred at 8:20 AM on the 26th August sending clouds of smoke and flames billowing from the mouth of the mine and is thought to have started because of a faulty miner’s lamp, killing 110 miners. There were 146 men and boys working within the mine at the time of the explosion.The rescue operation started immediately and two survivors were found about sixty yards inside the mine at a pumping station. Although badly shaken they were otherwise uninjured.The rescue progress was hampered by huge roof falls which also restricted the flow of air. They eventually came across the bodies of the first seven victims but because of the accumulation of After Damp the rescue operation had to stop until the ventilation had been restored.It wasn’t until 6 o’clock the following morning before it was safe to continue the rescue operation. By 4 o’clock in the afternoon a total of 112 miners had been brought out alive, some of who died later of their injuries

Death Roll Photo

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Baker, Thomas

Barnett, Henry

Berwick, James

Berwick, John

Bowen, James

Bowen, Thomas

Bowen, David

Bromham, Moses

Burrows, Alfred

Carter, Thomas

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Chapel, John

Cockram, George

Cockram, Lewis

Cockram John

Cockram, Thomas

Curtin, John

Daniels, Thomas

David, Philip

David, Evan

David, David

Davies, William

Davies, Enoch

Davies, David

Davies, Richard

Davies, Richard

Davies, Benjamin

Davies, George

Davies, David

Davies, James

Down, Edward

Driscoll, Elijah

Driscoll, John

Dunster, John

Edwards, George

Evans, James

Gibbon, John

Gibbs, James

Hanley, Jonathan

Hanley, John

Harrhy, David

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Henson, George

Henson, Thomas

Hopkin, David

Hopkins, Thomas

Hopkins, Thomas

Hopkins, Evan

Howell, Elias

Howell, Elias

Humphreys, Edward

Hurley, Henry

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Jacobs, George

Jacobs, Thomas

Jenkins, Jenkin

John, John

Jones, David

Jones, David

Jones, Evan

Jones, David

Jones, Thomas

Lovell, John

Lowman, George

Lukins, Thomas

Lyddon, James

Lyddon, George

Lyddon, William

Lyddon, Henry

Lyddon, Herbert

Lyddon, Albert

Major, David

Martin, Arthur

Mitchell, Henry

Morgan, Evan

Morgan, Morgan

Moragn, Lewis

Morris, William

Nichols, Charles

Orchard, John

Osborne, John

Painter, William

Painter, Joseph

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Powell, David

Powell, David

Rees, Thomas

Richards, James

Roberts, Frederick

Roberts, John

Roberts, Griffith

Rosser, William

Rosser, John

Saunders, Herbert

Back

Stenner, William

Stenner, Thomas

Stenner, Charles

Strick, Henry

Tackle, George

Taylor, Thomas

Thomas, John

Thomas, David

Thomas, Ivor

Thomas, Rees

Warren, Christopher

Webster, Robert (father)

Webster, Robert (son)

Webster, Thomas

Williams, Thomas

Williams, Thomas

Williams, Thomas

Williams, William

Williams, William

Williams, Gwilym

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Great Western, PontypriddOn 11th April 1893 a fire in the colliery led to the deaths of 63 men and boys. The ages of the dead ranged from 14 to 61.It is believed that sparks from the wooden brake blocks of a Haulage Engine had set fire to a nearby Brattice sheet. The fire spread quickly fanned by the strong ventilation and ignited timber supports, sending dense clouds of smoke and fumes into the mine workings.A total of 200 Miners were reported trapped but 150 were rescued. By 14th April 53 bodies had been recovered.The death toll would have been much higher had it not been for the actions of the District Fireman Thomas Prosser who bravely ventured into the dense smoke and by opening a set of air doors, diverted the noxious fumes out of the mine.

The Inquest The Death Roll

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Adolphus Dodge 14 Doorboy

Albert Pearce 16 Collier

Amazia Jones 15 Collier

Arthur Davies 33 Collier

Arthur Thorne 16 Collier

Charles Coville 50 Collier

Charles Godfrey 28 Collier

Coleman Williams 17 Haulier

Cornelius Hayes 18 Oiler

Daniel David 17 Collier

Daniel O’Shea 16 Collier

Daniel Spooner 35 Haulier

David Davies 29 Fireman

David Jenkins 31 Collier

David John 17 Collier

David John Powell 13 Collier

David W. Prosser 17 Collier

Ernest Thomas Prosser

18 Collier

Frank Grainger 28 Inclineman

Frederick Nurse 16 Collier

George Bartlett 23 Collier

Next

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George C. Lewis 15 Collier

George Roderick 14 Collier

George Thorne 31 Collier

Gwilym Howells 17 Collier

Ivor Lloyd 22 Collier

James Devereux 39 Lampman

James Holbrook 25 Collier

Jesse Titley 19 Collier

Job Miller 18 Collier

John Llewelyn 45 Collier

John Maddox 33 Collier

John Nichols 26 Engineman

John Roberts 21 Collier

John Thomas 27 Collier

John Williams 31 Collier

John Williams 61 Labourer

Joseph Williams 37 Collier

Lewis Jacob 20 Collier

Lewis Thomas 25 Haulier

Lewis Williams 26 Collier

Mark Osborne 26 Collier

Morgan Williams 57 Collier

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Morris Potter 28 Collier

Patsey Sullivan - Rider

Phillip Jones 42 Collier

Richard Edmunds 25 Collier

Thomas Davies 29 Bratticeman

Thomas Henry Williams

17 Collier

Thomas Lambert 27 Rider

Thomas Price 15 Doorboy

William Lewis 44 Collier

William Bowers 22 Collier

William C. Bollen 21 Collier

William Davies 17 Collier

William Edmunds 52 Roadman

William Hughes 17 Collier

William James Bond 16 Collier

William John 42 Collier

William Thomas 16 Collier

William Wheeler 16 Collier

William Williams 20 Collier

Back

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Back To Front Page1893 Inquest Back

The inquest into the disaster was held before Mr. B. Reece, Coroner for Cardiff and Mr. R.J. Rhys, Coroner for Aberdare and a jury at the New Inn, Pontypridd from the 27th to the 29th April. All Interested parties were represented and the jury returned the following Verdict:“We find that the accident the Great Western Colliery on 11th April, 1893 caused by a spark or sparks emitted from the brake of the hauling engine at the hard heading, which came into contact with some inflammable substance in the neighbourhood and we do not attribute any negligence to any of the officials either before or after the accident, and that 61 men lost their lives by suffocation from smoke arising from the fire and that Jesse Titley lost his life by falling from the 4-foot landing to the bottom of the seam at Tymawr Shaft.”The Jury also Recommended:“1) That the code of regulations drawn up by Hugh Bramwell be sent to the Home Secretary with the object that those, or similar ones, should be adopted by other collieries.2) That Sufficient Width or surface for brake power should be provided at all haulage engine, so as to prevent undue friction.3) That every care should be exercised in letting down full journeys upon the east hard heading at the Great Western Collier at a uniform rate and speed.”Mr. Robson Concluded His report by saying that the loss of life would have been much greater if the Tymawr upcast shaft had not been a winding pit.

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Albion Colliery, CilkynyddAn explosion of gas occurred on the 23rd June, which was accelerated and extended by coal dust, killing 276 miners.Following an enquiry which lasted 9 days into the disaster a Jury of 17 men returned the following verdict:

The Jury can not agree on the exact place at which the explosion had its origin, and we are unanimously of the opinion that shot firing was practiced in the colliery when men are at work, without sufficient precautions as to their safety and contrary to rules, we are also of the opinion that the Under Manager neglected his duty in not seeing that his subordinates in the night shift performed their duties in accordance with the rules, that the firemen were negligent in reporting gas when found and there us not a proper system of watering in the mine.

The Inquest The Death Roll

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Addis, Alexander 27

Allaroad, Herbert 22

Allen, James 36

Ashton, John 28

Ashton, Morris 33

Ball Henry John 23

Barr, William 29

Barrett, Patrick 50

Bates, Samuel 17

Bennett, Edward 53

Berridge, Walter 21

Bevan, John 31Biddle, John 17

Bluck, Richard 28

Bowden, Edwin 14

Bowden, Richard 18

Bowill, Reuben 23

Boyce, George 17

Brain, Samuel 31

Brown, William 17

Bryant, John 24

Burford, George 20

Next

Burns, James 18

Bryne, Patsey 20

Cann, John 28

Canning, John 39

Carp, Frederick 25

Chamberlain, W. 21

Clarke, Enoch 16

Coles, John 23

Colwill, James 21

Comley, Isaac 25

Connell, Charles 20

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Cox, John 33

Cox, Sydney 22

Crocombe, Edward 50

Cronin, James 28

Cullen, James -

Daley, Timothy 27

Daniels, Edmund 16

Davies, Albert 17

Davies, Daniel 21

Davies, David 15

Davies, David 37

Davies, Price David 32Davies, Elias 36

Davies, Evan 17

Davies, John E. 26

Davies, Richard 20

Diamond, John 18

Dobbs, William 39

Downs, Stephen 22

Edwards, Evan 19

Edwards, Nathaniel 19

Edwards, William D. 19

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Emmott, Fred 19

Evans, Evan Pearce 33

Evans, George 30

Evans, Henry 30

Evans, John 25

Evans, John -

Evans, John 26

Evans, Levi 45

Evans, Richard 28

Evans, Samuel 26

Evans, Stephen 28

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Evans, Thomas 38

Evans, Thomas 19

Evans, William 29

Evans, William 46

Eynon, Benjamin J. 58

Faceym Eli 36

Farrow, William 34

Fletcher, Philip 19

Freeman, George 23

Frost, William Henry 21

Furlong, Patrick 19

Gilfoyle, Emmanuel 24Gittings, Thomas 26

Godwin, Edwin 43

Gould, John 24

Gregory, John 26

Grey, Joseph 25

Griffiths, David 17

Griffiths, John 47

Griffiths, Richard 26

Griffiths, William 24

Gronow, Cornelius 36

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Gronow, Evan 24

Gronow, Richard 21

Gronow, William 33

Guard, Philip John 18

Gulliford, Charles 17

Hardidge, John 25

Harding, William J. 16

Harris, John 34

Harvey, William 25

Haynes, William 16

Hazel, Sidney 32

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Hearne, John 18

Herbert, Richard 48

Hooper, Henry C. 23

Hopkins, William 21

Howe, Henry 43

Howells, Lewis -

Hughes, Charles 16

Hughes, David Dan 19

Hughes, Joseph 29

Hughes, Owen 20

Hughes, Thomas 48

Hughes, William -Humphreys, John 30

Hunt, James 49

Hunt, George 17

Hurrell, Cornelius J. 22

Hurrell, William 38

James, David Owen 25

James, Henry 37

James, John 30

James, Richard 20

Jenkins, John Enos 35

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Jenkins, Rees 33

Jenkins, Roderick 38

Jenkins, Thomas 42

Jenkins, Thomas 34

Jennings Arthur 21

Jones, Charles 26

Jones, Charles A. 19

Jones, Daniel 25

Jones, David 42

Jones, Edward 60

Jones, Ellis 40

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Jones, Evan 37

Jones, Hugh 22

Jones, Humphrey 39

Jones, James 27

Jones, John 37

Jones, John 17

Jones, Lewis 24

Jones, Richard 23

Jones, Robert 25

Jones, Robert 40

Jones, Roland 29

Jones, Thomas -Jones, Thomas 32

Jones, Timothy 26

Jones, William 30

Jones, William 26

Jones, William 18

Jones, William 31

Jones, William T. -

Joyce, Frank -

Kahoa, Patrick 20

King, David 20

Back Next

King, John 36

Knight, George 30

Knott, William 53

Lennon, George 33

Lennon, Morris 24

Leonard, Fred 35

Lewis, Henry 34

Lewis, John -

Lewis, William H. 26

Llewellyn, David 39

Lloyd, John 47

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Lloyd, Morgan -

Lowe, Thomas -

Lumley, John -

Manders, George 32

McDonnell, Patrick 21

McGrath, John 23

Mears, John 40

Morgan, David -

Morgan, Henry 18

Morgan, John 38

Morgan, Thomas 18

Morgan, William 24Morris, David 40

Morris, David 26

Morris, Evan 30

Morris, William 22

Murphy, Thomas 24

Oliver, William 55

Osborne, Walter -

Owen, David 22

Owen, Richard 20

O’Leary, Thomas 17

Back Next

Packnell, James 34

Parfitt, John 45

Parkman, John 26

Parry, Jason 23

Parry, Robert 40

Parry, William 20

Pearce, John 40

Pincombe, John 24

Powell, Edwin -

Powell, James 60

Powell, Thomas 35

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Powell, Thomas -

Price, Walter 21

Price, William 29

Prout, Thomas 35

Provis, George 23

Pugh, David 27

Pugh, Hugh -

Pugh, Hugh 32

Pugsley, George 20

Pugsley, John 25

Pulsford, William H. 27

Quartley, John -Reele, Walter -

Rees, Edward 18

Rees, John 38

Rees, John 38

Rees, Jonathan 29

Rees, Thomas 33

Reeves, Richard 23

Richards, William 19

Roberts, Adam 42

Roberts, Hugh 37

Back Next

Roberts, Richard 18

Roberts, Richard 32

Roberts, Robert 40

Roberts, William 39

Robinson, Thomas 40

Rogers, William 20

Rough, Gilbert 16

Rowe, James -

Rowe, James 25

Sanders, Fred 21

Saunders, Charles 43

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Scott, John 13

Searle, Walter 20

Shaddock, John 23

Sheppard, Joseph 24

Skyrme, Benjamin 23

Smith, Peter 19

Smith, Robert 23

Smith, Thomas 31

Spencer, Charles 25

Stevens, James 40

Stubbs, Benjamin 14

Sullivan, Timothy 47Taylor, Samuel 30

Thomas, Albert E. 26

Thomas, Edward J. 16

Thomas, John 29

Thomas, Joseph 17

Thomas, Owen 18

Thomas, Richard 47

Thomas, Richard 20

Thomas, William 28

Thomas, William 30

Back Next

Tickle, James 23

Tombs, Arthur 30

Toozer, James 37

Topp, Frank 23

Tucker, Benjamin 20

Vile, Sam. Burgess 31

Ware, William 35

Watkins, David -

Watkins, David -

Watkins George 18

Webb, John 38

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Webb, Walter -

Weeks, Fred 22

White, Thomas -

Willett, Arthur G. 27

Williams, Edward 39

Williams, Edwin -

Williams, George 35

Williams, Isaacher 49

Williams, Richard -Williams, Thomas 50Williams, Walter -Williams, William 23Williams, William 30

Winter, George 31

Winters, Thomas -

Back

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Back To Front Page1894 Inquiry Back

Next

The inquiry into the disaster at Albion Colliery, Cilfynydd, near Pontypridd on the 23rd. June 1894, was conducted by J. Roskill, Esq., Barrister-at-Law and by J.T. Robson, Esq., Henry Hall Esq., and Joseph S. Martin, Esq., Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Mines and presented to the Right Honourable H.H. Asquith, Q.C., M.P., the Secretary of State for the Home Department.One of the survivors, George Bamford said he was working with others at the double parting on Mordecai’s level in No.5 district when the explosion occurred and he gave his description to the inquiry. He said-“I heard a sound like thunder, the biggest I have ever heard. I heard two sounds without scarcely an interval. Each just the same noise. I thought it was an explosion and I stood where I was. I heard a door between us and the engine parting open and shut with a bang. The level directly after was filled with dust and our lamps went out.

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Back To Front Page1894 Inquiry Back

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There were four of us together and two inside. I think I saw a shade of flame in the dust a bluish colour. It was coming above us along the roof. I was standing up, The place was 7 feet high. We started off to walk down the Pantddu dip. We met afterdamp in the parting near the dip. The flame and dust passed over us and we came out. In the Pantddu dip the afterdamp was very strong and I recollect no more until I came to myself when Dr. Little and Henry Watkins were with me at the air bridge. I heard some one say at home that it was about 8 o’clock when I got out. I was not singed by the flame except a little on my eye lashes”

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Tylorstown, FerndaleThe explosion occurred at 5:30 AM on the 28th January when most of the night shift had ascended to the surface at the end of their shift and before the day shift had descended into the mine. Thus, the eventual death toll of 57 would have been much greater if the explosion had taken place when a full shift, which consisted of over 300 men, was working below ground.Following an inquest the following verdict was returned:

The cause of the explosion was the firing of shot in gas in no.8 pit and that the air passing though the faces was charged with gas and the explosion was accelerated by coal dust.

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The Death Roll

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Back To Front Page1896 part 2

How the Tylorstown Disaster Prompted Safety Change

Back

The inspiration for using Canaries to detect dangerous gases underground started in Wales after this Disaster. The genius behind the idea came from Prof. J.S. Haldane, A medical researcher and mining engineer from Scotland rather than welsh decent.Prof Haldane insisted on visiting the mine and going underground before any of the victims were moved. He discovered four dead miners in a chamber with a lit oil lamp still burning, so the miners did not die from a lack of oxygen but some other cause. Following Post Mortem examinations on the victims he came to the conclusion the miners died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Death Roll

Next

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Back To Front Page1896 part 3

How the Tylorstown Disaster Prompted Safety Change

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He spent the next few months testing the effects of carbon monoxide on himself and a series of smaller animals.He concluded that whilst mice and canaries were 20 times more susceptible to the gas than humans, canaries would give miners the best advance warning as they stopped singing and would fall off their perch.People mistakenly presume that the canary had to die to provide an early warning. This is far from the truth and the Prof. Provided a gage “Halanes Human Gage” to relieve the canary.At their height there were at least 3000 canaries employed in the coal mines.

The Death Roll

Back To South Wales


Barrett, Walter 17

Bowen, John 24

Charles, Abraham 29

Collins, John 27

Davies, Henry 25

Davies, Sidney 37

Davies, Richard 34

Davies, Solomon 25

Davies, David 47

Davies, David 26

Davies, Thomas 18

Edwards, James 25

Evans, James 38Evans, Richard D. 28

Evans, Jesse 20

Evans, Richard 48

Gardener, George 25

Groves, George 28

Hall, Thomas 17

Harris, David 49

Harris, Henry 19

Jackson, James 25

Jackson, Alfred 15

Jenkins, William R. 39

Next

Jenkins, Griffith 35

Jones, David 27

Jones, George 19

Jones, Jacob Elias 18

Jones, Gwilym 29

Jones, David 22

Lewis, George 56

Lewis, David 22

Lewis John 40

Morgan, Evan 34

Morgan, Samuel 21

Norman, Charles 22

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Olding, Albert -

Pearce, John 64

Phillips, Benjamin 52

Pride, Isaac 19

Pritchard, Amos 46

Reardon, Daniel 24

Rossed, David 41

Rowls, John 21

Saunders, Robert 52

Scourfield, Thomas 32

Stapelton, George 54

Sutton, James 38Thomas, Richard 35Thomas, John 37

Watkins, John 33

Williams, Lewis 19

Williams, Samuel 32

Williams, Davis 22

Williams Edwin 20

Williams, Joseph -

Wiltshirem Henry 17

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Lluest, Garn Valley (Drift Mine)The explosion occurred on 18th August 1899 killing 19 men and boys. One of the victims, William Thomas, was overcome by Afterdamp after leaving another part of the mine to attempt a rescue of the stricken men.Production ceased at this Colliery in 1902.

The Death Roll

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Bissett, Herbert Pontycymmer

Davies, Evan Pontycymmer

Davies, Hugh Pontycymmer

Evans, Fred Pantygog

Halkins, David Pantygog

Jenkins, William D. -

John, Frank Pontycymmer

Jones, Thomas Pontyrhyl

Lewis, William Laleston

Morganm John Pontycymmer

Owen, Owen Pontycymmer

Rees, Samuel Pontycymmer

Thomas, Jeremy Pontyrhyl

Thomas, William Llangeinor

Williams, Abednego Pantygog

Williams, Thomas Pantygog

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National Wattstown, Porth.The Explosion occurred on Tuesday 11th July resulting in the deaths of 120 men and boys. Only three miners were rescued from the mine but two would later die of their injuries leaving Matthew Davies as the lone survivor.The report into the cause of the disaster concluded that the explosion was caused by the illegal use of blasting materials underground.

The Death Roll

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Baines, James 55 Ynishir

Basset, George 14 Wattstown

Basset, William - -

Beard, Emmanuel 14 Wattstown

Billett, Ammon 22 Pontygwaith

Billett, Robert - Pontygwaith

Bird, Samuel 16 Newhouses

Chedzie, George 18 Taff’s Wells

Clancey, Charles 18 Taff’s Wells

Cross, Robert 38 Ynishir

Dando, John - -

Next

Daniel, William 40 Ynishir

Davies, Charles 18 Wattstown

Davies, Charles H. 15 -

Davies, David - -

Davies, David G. 26 -

Davies, David 26 -

Davies, D. 37 Wattstown

Davies, Enoch 22 -

Davies, Isaac 14 Tylorstown

Davies, John 26 Wattstown

Davies, Joseph E. 18 Ynishir

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Davies, Thomas 38 Wattstown



Eastment, William 42 Wattstown

Edmunds, Gwilym 19 Pentyrch

Edwards, Thomas 19 Ynishir

Evans, George 26 Wattstown

Evans, Morgan R. 25 Wattstown

Evans, William John 17 Ynishir

Fletcher, Fred 25 Porth

Flower, Tom 41 Wattstown

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Gibbons, James 45 Pontygwaith

Gibbons, John 25 Pontygwaith

Gibbons, Thomas 15 Pontygwaith

Goldsworthy, W.H. 20 Wattstown

Hallett, Robert - Treforest

Hallett, William 16 Treforest

Healing, James 14 Wattstown

Howells, John 42 Ynishir

Howells, Thomas 15 Ynishir

Hudd, Samuel - -

Hunt, Thomas Henry - -

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Hunt, William 16 Wattstown

John, Evan 18 Wattstown

Johnson, David 64 Wattstown

Johnson, David 16 Wattstown

Jones, Isaac 17 Stanleytown

Jones, John 36 Pontygwaith

Jones, Thomas 51 Taff’s Wells

Jones, Thomas 16 Wattstown

Jones, William 60 Wattstown

Jones, William T. 23 Ynishir

Kemp, Arthur 43 Wattstown

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King, Alfred 22 Wattstown

King, Thomas 47 Wattstown

Lewis, Benjamin 53 -

Lillicrop, Thomas 25 Wattstown

Lloyd, William Henry 16 Wattstown

Mahoney, Florence 17 Wattstown

Marshall, Albert - Wattstown

Mason, Samuel 34 Wattstown

Meredith, John - -

Meredith, William 56 Wattstown

Morgan, Edward 16 Pentyrch

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Morgan, John 59 Trehafod

Morgan, John 25 Wattstown

Morgan, Richard 18 Wattstown

Morgan, William 15 Wattstown

Morgan, William 17 Wattstown

Morgan, William J. 27 Porth Station

Morris, David T. 15 Wattstown

Owen, Tom 33 Ynishir

Perry, Charles Evan 40 Wattstown

Perry, Charles Evan 20 Wattstown

Perryman, Ceo. 48 Ynishir

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Perryman, Thomas 19 Ynishir

Perryman, William 14 Ynishir

Phillips, David 26 Pontygwaith

Powell, David - Porth

Oliver, Pritchard 38 Pentyrch

Probert, John H. 19 Ynishir

Prosser, Thomas J. 16 Wattstown

Rees, David 38 Wattstown

Rees, David 14 Wattstown

Rees, David John 40 Ynishir

Rees, John 17 Pontygwaith

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Rees, John - Pontygwaith

Reeves, David M. - -

Richards, Alfred 40 Porth

Richards, William 14 Porth

Roberts, Elias W. - -

Roberts, Elias - Ynishir

Sampson, Edward J. 18 Wattstown

Smith, Samuel 14 Wattstown

Smith, Thomas H. 17 Wattstown

Stuart, Morgan 15 Wattstown

Thomas, William 17 Wattstown

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Tingle, John 14 Wattstown

Turberville, John 14 Wattstown

Uzzel, Albert 40 Wattstown

Uzzel, John 14 Wattstown

Uzzel, W. 16 Wattstown

Walters, Benjamin 37 Ynishir

Walters, John R. 15 Ynishir

Williams, David 26 Wattstown

Williams, Idris 21 Wattstown

Williams, Richard - Wattstown

Williams, Edwin C. 16 Wattstown

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Williams, John 44 Ynishir

Williams, John M. 14 Wattstown

Williams, Thomas 16 Wattstown

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Williams, William A. 13 Wattstown

Wiltshire, Frank 14 Wattstown

Yell, R. 40 Wattstown

Plus at least one other not listed.

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Dinas Main Housecoal, Gilfach GochAn explosion occurred in 1907 killing 7 miners. The other men escaped injury by clambering up an old horse way.The men who died were:-

The pit never reopened after this accident

Richard Evans Rider 33

Watkin Evans Ripper 39

William David 40

John Jenkins Roadman 65

David J. Mills Labourer 23

Nicholas White Ripper 45

William White Ripper 24

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Darren GarwThe explosion occurred about 4:00 AM on 29th October Killing 27 men. There were 50 Night shift workers underground.When the effects of the blast vented up the upcast shaft and shattered the pit head casing on which two men were standing, both were badly injured.The Darren was connected to the Gilfach colliery underground and those who survived the explosion managed to make their way to the Gilfach shaft.

Death Roll

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Anthony, Sidney 18 Labourer

Baragwenith, John 27 Haulier

Barker, William 37 Labourer

Brown, William 44 Collier

Cleavy, Daniel 40 Collier

Coombes, Morgan 58 Repairer

Davies, William 25 Haulier

Edwards, David 45 Repairer

Edwards, Henry 17 Collier

Evans, John 18 Collier

Jenkins, David 45 Repairer

John, John 43 Fireman

Jones, Ambrose 55 Repairer

McCarthy, Dan 34 Collier

Morgan, Lewis 25 Repairer

Morgan, John 61 Haulier

Prosser, Evan 65 Repairer

Roberts, Ernest 32 Repairer

Tovey, John 16 Collier

Vaughan, Charles 36 Labourer

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Vincent, Joseph 18 Collier Jenkins, David 45 Repairer

Died In Rescue AttemptBowen, William 39 Manager

Edwards, William 48 Contractor

Griffiths, Gomar 52 Overman

Lewis, David 57 Under Manager

Morgan, David 36 Fireman

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Universal SenghenyddThe explosion occurred at 8 AM on 14 October killing 439 miners and one rescuer two days later. It is the worst mining accident in the United Kingdom and one of the most serious Globally in the terms of loss of life.The cause was probably a buildup of firedamp (methane) being ignited by electric sparking from equipment such as electric bell signalling gear. The initial explosion disturbed coal dust present on the floor raising a cloud that then also ignited. The shock wave ahead of the explosion raised yet more coal dust, so that the explosion was effectively self-fueling. Those miners not killed immediately by the fire and explosion would have died quickly from afterdamp, the noxious gasses formed by combustion, such as carbon monoxide, which binds with haemoglobin in the blood, resulting in the victim suffocating.The last survivors were rescued in the early hours of 15th october.

Next Account of rescue Death Roll

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Back To Front Page1913 Part 2

The mines manager was fined £24 for breaches of mines safety code whilst the owner was fined £10.The pit closed in March 1928.The real tragedy of Senghenydd does not lie in just the 1913 disaster. Proving the old adage “Lightning does not strike twice in the same place” is a mere fallacy, twelve years earlier on Friday 24th may 1901 the same colliery had experienced it’s first disaster. At 5.00 am on that day an explosion decimated the mine and killed 81 miners.There was just 1 survivor.The history of Wales and its industrial past is full of tragedy, Human grief and loss, but none of the disasters that have befallen the country are worse than the Senghenydd mining disaster, when tragedy struck the same village and community, not once but twice in a dozen years.

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1901 Disaster Death roll

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1913 Rescue Account

How three men escaped Universal Colliery October 1913Those men who escaped with their lives when the explosion took place, and who have been working incessantly with the rescue parties ever since, are just beginning to recount their experiences.William Pertherick a hitcher in the ‘York Pit’ Told the Evening Express reporter that he was in the act of turning two trams of rubbish into the cage when he was overcome by stifling fumes. He remained unconscious on the ground for some time, and then recovering began to feel his way to a spot where he thought the air would be purer.Eventually he crept from the York to the Lancaster Pit, meeting on the way four men, to whom he called, “Come lads, follow me”, two of them did so, the others went to the cage, but never reached the ‘knocker’.At the ‘locking hole’ Perthick and his companions saw David Rees, the head pitman, and William Williams, a lamp lighter. Jones was in flames and the others immediately stripped him of his clothing.

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1913 Rescue Account

Part 2

“Then” Continued Petherick, “we came upon our gallant manager Mr Shaw, leading the first rescue party, and we thank Almighty god for our safety. I hope the same salvation is waiting for some of those poor men still below.”

This account of a successful rescue procedure was taken from a newspaper, reporting the worst ever coal mining disaster. A newspaper at that time reported the rescue and a cutting from this column was taken and kept safe by placing it in a small leather pouch. The little pouch belonged to one of the young miners that were rescued from the aftermath of the terrible explosion. The pouch and it’s contents have since been regarded as a memento and handed down from father to son. Finally being passed down to Mr Ron Petherick of Margam. Ron is now nearing 80 years old and felt it was time for the frail original newspaper cutting to be copied and clearly printed for future Generations. It would also serve as a proud tribute to his late father.

The pouch Is in the glass cabinet. Labelled Item 3.

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Attewell, William Thos 15

Abrahams, Harry 24

Adams, Thomas Davies 19

Alderman, Frederick 45

Anderson, Charles F. 32

Anthony, George David 17

Baish, William 50

Baker, Charles 14

Baker, Charles 42

Baker, Samuel 31

Bastyn, George 26

Bateman, Robert 18

Beck, William Edward 43

Benjamin, John Henry 20

Bennett, William 33

Berry, Walter 27

Bevan, James 32

Beynon, John Lewis 32

Bird, Samuel 49

Bishop, William 37

Booth, Samuel -

Bormeth, Frank 19

Boswell, Harry 49

Bowen, Griffith 38

Brooks, Henry John 25

Brown, Charles 31

Bullock, Edwin Francis 30

Button, Bertie 37

Button, Harold Arthur 26

Carnell, John, Fred 47

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Carpenter, John 23

Carr, Peter 45

Carroll, Dennis -

Carroll, Timothy 35

Chant, George 34

Chapman, John 42

Chard, Charles 30

Clarke, Francis Simon 44

Colley, James 45

Collier, Thos. John Joe 45

Cooke, Thos. Henry C. 15

Coombes, George W. 22

Copeland, Harry 33

Cotterell, Francis Pitt 21

Cottrell, Thomas James 19

Cronin, Thomas 26

Curtis, Samuel 25

Dando, Stan Heziciah 27

Davies, Benjamin A. 25

Davies, David John 29

Davies, David John 34

Davies, Ellis 22

Davies, George 19

Davies, George 30

Davies, Harry 32

Davies, Henry Francis 25

Davies, Henry 33

Davies, James 44

Davies, James 49

Davies, Jeffery James 28

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Davies, John Robert 22

Davies, John 27

Davies, Richard John 20

Davies, Robert James 20

Davies, Thomas John 26

Davies, Thomas 43

Davies, William F. 27

Davies, William 36

Davies, William 38

Davies, William 43

Dean, Albert Edgar 33

Deere, Thomas 41

Delbridge, Herbert J. 22

Dew, William 39

Dillon, John 36

Dodge, William 21

Dorey, Matthew Henry 21

Downes, George Henry 20

Downes, George Henry 43

Downes, Thomas 19

Druhan, James 26

Edwards, Ernest 25

Edwards, Evan 50

Edwards, George 19

Edwards, George 48

Edwards, Harry 19

Edwards, Henry James 37

Edwards, James David 33

Edwards, James 42

Edwards, Morgan 16

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Edwards, Richard C. 18

Edwards, Richard C. 20

Edwards, Richard John 20

Edwards, Thomas W. 30

Edwards, Walter 20

Eldridge, William 14

Emery, Charles 38

Etchells, James 34

Evans, Alfred Hugh 18

Evans, Charles 38

Evans, David Richard 20

Evans, David 51

Evans, Evan David 22

Evans, Evan 44

Evans, George Henry 24

Evans, Morgan 59

Evans, Rhys Jones 48

Evans, Richard 25

Evans, Robert John 19

Evans, Robert William 38

Evans, Thomas 41

Evans, William David 18

Evans, William John 22

Evans, William 47

Evans, William 49

Fern, Richard Morris 19

Fern, Thomas 20

Ferris, Frank 39

Field, Harry 32

Ford, Frederick John 35

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Ford, George 17

Ford, Henry William 28

French, Fred 21

George, Robert 14

Gilbert, Edward 55

Grainger, Walter 22

Green, Gomer 26

Gregory, Arthur Joseph 20

Griffiths, Albert John 21

Griffiths, David F. 28

Griffiths, Edward 18Griffiths, Llewellyn 32

Gwynn, James 44

Hadley, Alfred James 59

Hall, Charles 36

Hall, Henry 35

Hallett, William Morgan 20

Harrison, George Thos. 45

Harrison, Reginald 18

Harvey, William John 28

Hearne, Thomas 42

Hemmings, William Henry 25

Henley, Walter 27

Henly, William 43

Herring, James 25

Herring, John 60

Herritts, George 22

Hill, Chas Fred 37

Hill, David Henry 16

Hillborne, William 36

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Hoare, Samuel Augustus 37

Hollister, Frank 20

Hopkins, Joseph 35

Howlett, John 39

Hughes, David 49

Hughes, Hugh 22

Hughes, Humphrey 19

Hughes, John -

Hughes, Ruben Thomas 21

Hughes, William Griff 22

Hughes, William 19Humphries, Francis 33

Humphries, Idrisyn 31

Humphries, John Philip 23

Humphries, King Samuel 46

Hunt, Richard 34

Hyatt, Brynley 22

Hyatt, William Joseph 47

James, David John 34

James, Edward 16

James, Evan Hopkin 42

James, Richard 26

James, Thomas 28

Jenkins, David 17

Jenkins, Thomas Edgar 18

Jenkins, Thomas -

Jenkins, William 21

John, Thomas 31

John, Daniel 26

John, Owen Morien 22

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John, William -

Jones, Benjamin 34

Jones, Charles James 51

Jones, Christopher 25

Jones, David John 33

Jones, David -

Jones, David -

Jones, David 43

Jones, Drychan 22

Jones, Edmund 41

Jones, Edward 50Jones, Evan Price 32

Jones, Evan William 27

Jones, Evan 52

Jones, Evan 53

Jones, Gilbert 24

Jones, Harry 33

Jones, Henry 33

Jones, Hugh 29

Jones, Humphrey 43

Jones, John Henry 29

Jones, John Thos. Bowen 34

Jones, John 34

Jones, John 50

Jones, Morgan 31

Jones, Richard Henry 16

Jones, Richard Owen 18

Jones, Richard 36

Jones, Richard 43

Jones, Ruben 14

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Jones, Samuel 21

Jones, Thomas David 19

Jones, Thomas John 19

Jones, Thomas Lloyd 37

Jones, Thomas 20

Jones, Thomas 36

Jones, Thomas 43

Jones, William Abel 21

Jones, William John 21

Jones, William Samuel 27

Jones, William 24Jones, William 29

Jones, William 36

Jones, William 40

Kelly, John 22

Kenvin, Daniel 44

Kenvin, John 20

Kestell, Richard Davies 55

Kestell, Thomas 23

Kevil, Henry 33

King, William 25

Kinsey, Thomas 25

Kirkham, John Richard 19

Langmaid, Frank James 17

Lasbury, Sidney Alfred 26

Lewis, Charles Gordon 21

Lewis, Daniel 51

Lewis, David John 24

Lewis, Edward Morgan 51

Lewis, Edward Richard 50

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Lewis, Edward 23

Lewis, Griffith Robert 21

Lewis, John 35

Lewis, Joseph Thos. 31

Lewis, Rowland Edward 19

Lewis, Rowland 45

Lewis, Rowland 55

Lewis, Thomas Ivor 44

Lewis, Thomas 62

Llewellyn Edwin Samuel 26

Lngam, William 31Lock, Joseph Arthur 20

Lock, Silas 17

Lower, James 18

Lower, Philip 22

Lynch, John 34

Maddocks, John 42

Maddocks, Thomas 16

Maher, James 37

Maldoom, John James 17

Manders, Aaron 51

Manfield, Samuel John 16

Manning, Rodney Austin 40

Martin, Alfred Charles 23

Matthews, Edward 61

Matthews, Richard 37

McMahon, Albert Edward 30

Mendus, Thomas Propert 32

Meredith, Thomas 43

Milton, Alfred 15

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Mogridge, John 29

Moran, James 24

Morgan, Benjamin 19

Morgan, David Lewis 35

Morgan, David 29

Morgan, Ernest 15

Morgan, Francis Lewis 35

Morgan, John 25

Morgan, Joseph 24

Morgan, Josiah 25

Morgan, William Henry 15Morgan, William Henry 33

Morgan, William Thomas 46

Morgan, William Thomas 20

Morgan, William 35

Morris, Benjamin 38

Morris, Cadwaladr Wm 23

Morris, Edwin 23

Morris, John 31

Morris, Meyrick 30

Morris, Thomas James 19

Moss, Charles 20

Mulcock, Ernest Edward 21

Musty, Lewis 42

Newell, Richard 23

Owen, Charles 30

Owen, George 30

Owen, John Griffith 24

Pain, William Hadley 34

Parish, Albert 29

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Parry, Charles 47

Parry, Hugh 28

Parsons, Fredk. Charles 22

Pegler, Albert Edward 29

Penny, Harry 27

Peters, Charles 22

Peters, John Lot 27

Petherick, Ernest 16

Phillips, Thomas 28

Phillips, William John 20

Pingree, George 25Price, George A. 28

Price, Harold 22

Price, Idris 18

Priest, Benjamin Joseph 36

Priest, James Victor 14

Priest, Thomas Benjamin 16

Pritchard, Albert Ed. 38

Pritchard, Frank 18

Pritchard, Henry 29

Prosser, William 28

Radcliffe, John 44

Rees, David James 28

Rees, Gwilym Morgan 29

Rees, Lewis 41

Rees, Oliver 19

Rees, Richard David 26

Rees, Richard 30

Rees, Thomas Henry 21

Rees, William John 43

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Rex, Richard Stephen 47

Richards, Arthur Morgan 24

Richards, David Thos 37

Richards, Frederick 32

Richards, John 34

Richards, Thomas John 16

Roberts, Griffith 20

Roberts, Griffith 20

Roberts, John 31

Roberts, Morgan 27

Roberts, Robert G. 20Roberts, Taliesin -

Roberts, William Henry -

Roberts, William T. 26

Robinson, John 33

Rook, Robert 49

Ross, Peter Ronald 20

Ross, Robert 31

Ross, William John 22

Ross, William 45

Rosser, James John 22

Rowland, Robert John 31

Rowlands, Edward 48

Rowlands, Evan Thomas 20

Rowlands, John 39

Rowlands, Samuel 28

Rowlands, William 59

Saunders, Thomas 21

Scott, John Henry 26

Scriven, James 45

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Seager, Richard 26

Smale, George -

Small, Edward Samuel 44

Small, Edwin John 21

Smith, James 31

Spreadbury, George E. 32

Stanley, Thomas Edward 31

Stanton, Edwin Albert 27

Stephens, James Edward 32

Sullivan, Patrick 37

Sullivan, William John 33Symes, Robert John 33

Taylor, Isaac James 25

Taylor, William John 33

Thomas, David 51

Thomas, Enoch Rees 23

Thomas, Henry 44

Thomas, Howell 38

Thomas, Hugh 30

Thomas, James 39

Thomas, John 31

Thomas, Joseph 33

Thomas, Levi James 37

Thomas, Rees 23

Thomas, Rees 42

Thomas, Richard 29

Thomas, Thomas Philip 21

Thomas, Thomas 28

Thomas, Thomas 47

Thomas, William Chas. 21

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Thomas, William Frank 28

Thomas, William 24

Thorn, Albert Wm. Henry 28

Thorne, Edwin George -

Tooze, Francis 40

Tucker, Thomas 21

Tudor, Alfred Rees 14

Twining, Evan 14

Twining, Erza 30

Twining, James 16

Twining, John Edward 28Uphill, William Ewart 15

Vranch, Arthur 19

Vranch, Ernest 21

Waddon, William Frank 22

Walsh, Henry 40

Walters, Frederick 20

Watkins, William 23

Weston, Evan 40

Whitcombe, Gilbert 37

White, John 33

White, William Henry 24

William, Davies 43

Williams, Albert 23

Williams, Archibald 19

Williams, Arthur Henry 19

Williams, David 24

Williams, David 53

Williams, Emrys Hughes 20

Williams, Frederick 43

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Williams, Frederick 43

Williams, Glyndwr 14

Williams, Job 52

Williams, John 18

Williams, John 43

Williams, Joseph 26

Williams, Llewellyn 21

Williams, Noah 50

Williams, Patrick 28

Williams, Richard 43

Williams, William Hugh 39Williams, William 24

Williams, O. William 22

Witherall, John Henry 24

Withers, Caleb 56

Wood, William Leslie 17

Worman, Simeon 57

Wright, Joseph 33

Yardley, Robert Eli 40

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1913 Death Roll for 1901 Disaster

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Anslow, William -

Bennett, Edward 39

Blackmore, Albert 33

Bowles, David 31

Coombes, Thomas 29

Crocket, Charles Henry -

Crook, William 42

Davies, David -

Davies, Ebenezer -

Davies, John 25

Davies, John 36Davies, Jonah 59

Davies, William -

Davies, William 36

Diegan, Andrew 22

Dobson, Thomas 26

Edwards, James 30

Evans, George -

Evans, John 54

Evans, William T 33

Filer, George -

Fisher, Thomas -

Fullerlove, Joseph 17

Fullerlove, Thomas -

Griffiths, Benjamin D 33

Griffiths, David 52

Griffiths, George 25

Griffiths, George 59

Harvey, John 19

Hurley, Lewis C. -

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James, David 43

James, James 29

Jenkins, David 29

Jenkins, Evan John -

John, William 21

Jones, David 26

Jones, Gwilym -

Jones, Henry 25

Jones, John 32

Jones, Robert 36

Jones, Thomas 35Jones, Thomas -

Jones, William Chas 30

Jones, William Jenkin 23

Layman, Henry 36

Lee, Albert Edward 28

Lewis, Albert 19

Lewis, Jacob -

Lewis, William J -

Llewellyn, Llewellyn -

Lower, George 26

Lower, Philip 18

Martin, Christopher -

Morgan, David -

Morgan, Gwillym -

Morgan, Thomas 35

Morgan, William 20

Muller, Franz 40

Parker, William -

Parry, William 39

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Phelps, John 26

Pugh, John -

Rowland, Rowland W -

Rowland, William 24

David Rowlands, Bob -

Shiel, William 49

Skym, David 17

Thomas, John 31

Thomas, John 34

Thomas, John 43

Thomas, Rees 39

Thomas, William 51

Trefoil, Thomas 57

Trotman, William 32

Vaughn, David -

Walters, John -

Warren, George 61

Whitfield, George 51

Williams, Evan 33

Williams, Thomas 53

Williams, William 49

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Trimsaran, Llanelly (Drift)On the 26 April 1923, seven miners were killed outright, two died from injuries on the way to the hospital, at least five were so terribly injured that their recovery was doubtful and twenty others were less seriously hurt.The morning shift had just finished and a string of drams containing men and one containing tools were being drawn up the drift, which is 1400 yards deep. The drams had ascended about 300 yards when a link in a shackle snapped and five drams rapidly descended the drift.They careered wildly for a distance before going off the road when they became piled up in confusion.The miners waiting their turn at the bottom of the drift heard the crash and hurried to the rescue.

Death Roll

The photograph on the timeline shows a typical drift mine of the time.

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David T Davies 20

Morgan Davies 22

William Jenkins 42

Thomas John 68

Harold Parry 25

Harold Probert 16

William J Reece 24

Thomas Rogers 21

Sidney Williams 25

Thomas Williams -

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Marine, Ebbw ValeAn explosion occurred 1st March which killed 52 miners. This was a gas and coal dust explosion. The death toll would have been much larger if it wasn’t for the quick thinking of the manager Mr E Gay, who on his arrival at the mine ordered the ventilation fan slowed down so that it wouldn’t fan the flames of any fires burning below. His actions saved the lives of the men who were still alive in the district where the explosion occurred.At this time there were 1400 men employed at the colliery but fortunately when the explosion occurred the night shift were working underground.

Death Roll

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Brain, Harry LabourerBryant, William RepairerButton, Bert CollierButton, Wilfred EnginemanChappell, Joseph Assistant CollierClarke, John CollierCox, Charles HaulierCrowley, William RepairerDavies, W. G. RepairerDavies, Reginald Repairer

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Dudley, William LabourerEvans, David LabourerGatehouse, Tom LabourerGreen, Charles RepairerGreen, Fred RepairerGriffiths, Alfred CollierHill, Sidney RepairerHobbs, John LabourerJenkins, Llewellyn RepairerJones, William Collier

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Lee, Charles LabourerLewis, Tom EnginemanMason, Edward LabourerMathews, William OvermanMathews, Trevor CollierMathews, Herbert CollierMathlin, Walter RepairerMiles, John CollierMonaghan, Charles LabourerMonaghan, Richard Labourer

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Morris, Tom CollierMorris, Tom HaulierNation, Richard HaulierPenny, William LabourerPester, Robert HaulierPickford, William CollierProbert, Wilfred LabourerReed, Harold FitterRiddock, Gordon LabourerRogers, John Examiner

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Rogers, John LabourerShellard, Walter CollierStibbs, Ben Assistant CollierTarr, Tom CollierTrowbridge, Fred LabourerVaughan, Jim RepairerWarren, William Assistant HaulierWilcox, Ted RopemanWilliams, Ellis ExaminerWright, Albert Labourer

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Wernbwll, Penclawdd (Drift)On 28th November, The afternoon shift was underground when at about 7.00 PM there was a gas explosion.Rescuers were soon on the scene and found two miners overcome by afterdamp, the rescuers then had to withdraw until rescue teams arrived with breathing apparatus.The bodies of five other miners were recovered in the early hours of the following day.An inquest occurred in the following January but it was concluded that the cause of the explosion was unknown

Death rollThomas Luther Hughes 32

Edwin Harry 61

David Davies 34

Henry Griffiths 34

Thomas Jones 54

Thomas Henry Harry 33

William Arnold Benett 29

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Back To Front Page1929:2

Milfraen, BlaenavonA gas explosion occurred on 10th July which killed 9 Miners. An enquiry Concluded there was inadequate ventilation which led to a build up of gas which was ignited by electrical sparks from a faulty coal cutting machine.

Death rollBarrel Archie

Edmunds Clifford

Holder Ernest

Howells Evan

Parry David

Ricketts David

Southcott Ernest

Williams Albert

Williams Evan

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Llwynpia, PorthA gas explosion occurred on 25th January killing 12 miners.The enquiry into the disaster was held and all interested parties were represented.Opinions Differed as to the precise point of origin or to the cause of the explosion

Death rollRichard Cheney Fire man

Morgan Bowen Coal cutting machine man

Charles Cryer

Henry Evans

Stanly Dando

David Hughes

Clifford Sparrow

William Thomas

David Rogers

J Alsop Killed by afterdamp

John Evans Rescuer

John Jones Rescuer

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Loveston, PembrokeA small Anthacite pit that was opened in 1932 and closed in 1937 when seven miners drowned when they hit old waterlogged workings.The problem of uncharted workings and the resultant inrush of water if they were hit forced the national coal board to withdraw from the Pembrokeshire section of the coalfield in 1948.The Lovestone Colliery Ltd was based at Hean Castle Saundersfoot.

Death rollWilliam T.J. Jenkins 42

Robert Williams 42

Thomas Lloyd 30

Joseph Phillips 26

Frederick Beynon 40

John Milling 26

Ernest Phillips 22

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Rhigos Hirwaun (drift)A series of seven Anthacite drifts were started in the early 1930’s.On the 10th July an explosion in the No. 3 drift killed 16 miners, There were 36 miners underground that day. The last of the drifts closed in 1965.

Death rollWilliam Henry Burton 40

Evan Idwal Edwards 21

David Emlyn Evans 39

Richard Howalls 56

Dan Jones Senior 65

Dan Jones Junior 38

Lewis Alexander Morris 16

Leslie Morris 18

John Jones 16

Philip M. Jones 34

David Jordan 46

David Morgan Lewis 50

Thomas MacDonald 16

John Mochan 45

William D. Watte 34

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Blaenhirwain, CrosshandsThe Explosion occurred on 6th September when four miners were killed and thirteen others injured. One of the injured died in hospital on the 18th September, bringing the death roll to six.All six had died as a result of a coal gas explosion, the cause of which can not be confirmed.The colliery closed in 1962

Death rollJohn Davies

Norris Howells

Thomas Richard Morris

William Henry Richards

David Pennington

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Lewis Merthyr TrehafodAn explosion occurred on 22nd November killing 9 Miners. The explosion was caused by a rock fall, striking a steel support ring. Causing sparks resulting in a methane gas explosion.Two miners were killed instantly. Seven more died in hospital but incredibly, five of the victims survived the fireball.

Death rollE. Howells 17

S. Thomas 69

A. Atkins 40

T. Davies 38

A. R. Fox 41

C. Jones 36

R. Jones 57

J.H. Mills 35

P. Proffit 22

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Six Bells, MonmouthshireThe disaster was caused by an ignition of firedamp at approximately 10:45 AM on the 28th June. Coal Dust was raised and ignited, and the explosion spread almost throughout the district.Forty five miners were killed. Lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide were present which suggested then miners lost consciousness rapidly and death occurred within minutes.No-one can say with certainty where or by what means the explosion started.

Death Roll

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Baiton, Ivor J. 48 CuttermanBancroft, Daniel J. 46 Collier on panzerBrown, Robert C. 35 Roof Control Off.Cooper, Frank 44 Supplies ManCorbett, Joseph 50 HaulierCrandon, Thomas 46 RepairerDavies, Walter T. 34 BorerEdwards, Royden J. 27 RepairerElsey, Percy G. 52 RepairerEvans, Albert J. 34 PackerFrampton, Leonard F. 29 Collier

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Gardner, Albert 59 Assit. CuttermanGoldspink, George 37 RepairerGriffiths, Clive A. 18 Prop CheckerGriffiths, Vernon A. 33 DeputyHarding, Earnest V. 51 DeputyJones, Idris 57 PackerJones, John P. 56 RepairerKing, Joseph J. 56 PackerLane, Dennis E. 19 WiremanLuffman, George H. 55 General WorkerMapp. Telford C. 42 General Worker

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Mayberry, Herbert A. 55 DumperMorden, William J. 52 Engine DriverMoore, Sidney 54 RepairerMorgan, Colin M. D. 26 RepairerMorgan, Colin R. 22 Asst. RepairerMorgan, Ray M. 44 RepairerMorris, Islwyn 44 DeputyPartridge, Anthony V. 20 Asst. BorerPartridge, William H. 45 BorerPaul, Trevor 25 Asst. RepairerPhipps, Wilfred A.C. 60 Cutterman

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Pinkett, Albert G. 45 CollierRees, Frederick 37 FitterReynolds, William G. 21 Asst. RepairerThomas, Wilfred H. 57 RepairerWaters, Arthur 37 General WorkerWatkins, Phillip J. 53 Engine DriverWeston, Wilfred 47 Water InfuserWhite, Frederick 58 Under-ManagerWhittingham, William 55 Asst. RepairerWilliams, Richard J. 51 General WorkerWoosnam, John 24 Fitter

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Tower HirwaunAn explosion occurred on the 12th April at approximately 10.30 AM. Ten miners were killed and nine miners were injured.All ten miners died as a result of multiple injuries recieved in the explosion.The cause of the explosion was arcing, resulting from a short circuit in a newly installed length of cable serving the electrical equipment and occurred on the inside of a loop in the cable where it had been bent back on itself in order to connect it up to the switch in the heading. Death roll

E.Bond 47

L. Davies 37

Daniel Jones Unknown

T. Jones 57

William john Maull 61

D. J. Price 51

L. R. Price 27

W. Smith 39

K. Strong 32

D. Williams 37

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Cambrian, Clydach ValeThe explosion occurred on 17th May, and thirty one miners died. There were no survivors to substantiate the cause of the explosion.It was found that an air door was defective and had caused a short circuit in the ventilation system which in turn caused a build up of methane gas. Coinciding with this it appeared that when dealing with an electrical fault on a tail end switch, the electrician failed to replace all the bolts in the flameproof cover when testing the switch. It was suggested that the gas had entered the switch, ignited, and the flame had passed into the roadway causing the explosion. In the same mine, a gas explosion had also occurred on the 10th March 1905, killing thirty three men and sixty six horses, and injuring another eleven miners.

Death RollDeath Roll for

the 1905 disaster.

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Arnold, Roland 48 Fireman PorthBreeze, Ernest John 38 Manager GelliBurnett, Ernest 46 Chargehand PenrhiwferCalvert, Peter 40 Repairer TonypandyChanning, James 46 Poster WilliamstownColcombe, Albert William 44 Team Captain Clydach ValeDaniels, Raymond John 34 Stableman Clydach ValeDavies, Gerrard Wayne 24 Asst. Elect. Engineer TonypandyDavies, Kenneth 26 Plough Opperator BlaenclydachEvans, David 28 Poster Blaenclydach

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Flower, Ronald 45 Repairer Clydach ValeGregson, Ronald 28 Electrician TrehebertGriffiths, David Alfred 43 Repairer TonypandyHann, Thomas 52 Conveyor Opperator BlaenclydachHucker, Richard 32 Repairer Clydach ValeJacobs, Ivor 45 Poster TrealawLee, Henry 56 Roadman Clydach ValeMay, Leonard 33 Poster TrealawMorgan, Ivor 32 Poster TrealawNewman, Arthur James 46 Poster Blaenclydach

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Nicholas, Vivian 51 Poster BlaenclydachPope, Harold David 50 Overman Clydach ValePrice, Donald 42 Stableman TonypandyRees, Evan Luther 48 Poster EdmundstownRoberts, Richard John 55 Repairer TonypandyThomas, Gwilym 28 Asst. Stableman BlaenclydachThomas, Williams Isaac 33 Poster Clydach ValeWilliams, Edmund William 51 Repairer WilliamstownWilliams, Leslie, J. 54 Undermanager No. 1 Pit CwmparcWilliams, Sidney 47 Poster TonypandyWilliams, Trevor John 27 Poster Tonypandy

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Chalker, Joseph 39 Ostler Clydach ValeDavies, Evan 42 Fireman TonypandyDavies, Jenkin 49 Repairer Clydach ValeDavies, Thomas 21 Collier Clydach ValeEdmunds, Noah 48 Repairer Clydach ValeEnoch, David 35 Brattice-man Clydach ValeEvans, Evan 36 Labourer Ton PentreEvans, William 45 Repairer Clydach ValeGriffiths, John 40 Horse shoer Clydach ValeGriffiths, William 60 Locker Clydach Vale

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Gronow, William 51 Haulier Clydach ValeHarding, Morgan 47 Master Haulier Clydach ValeHarvey, Henry 45 Haulier DinasHawkins, Thomas 48 Ostler Clydach ValeHarris, William 33 Fireman Clydach ValeJohn, Thomas 36 Hitcher Clydach ValeJones, Edward 47 Repairer PorthJones, John 38 Repairer Tonypandy

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AberfanOne of the saddest days in the history of the South Wales coalfield occurred on Friday 21st October when after a week of heavy rainfall a mountain of coal waste moved incredibly quickly down the mountainside, engulfing Moy Road and Pant Glas Junior School just as the children were inside. The tragedy caused the death of 28 adults and 116 children.Many noted the poignancy of the situation: If the disaster had struck a few minutes earlier the children would not have been in their classrooms and if it had happened a few hours later the school would have broken up for half term.Great rescue efforts were made but the large numbers who crowded into the village tended to hamper the work of the trained rescue teams, but only a few lives could be saved in any case.The tribunal that was held afterwards concluded that the blame for the disaster rests with the national coal board.

Death Roll

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Gareth Evans 3 months

Catherine E. Evans 3 Years

Howell L. Evans 7

Michael Fitzpatrick 7

Angela V. Hopkins 7

Carl Minnett 7

Thomas Probet 7

David P. Roberts 7

Rodger C. Summers 7

Malcolm Andrew 8

Dennis Arscott 8Brian Davies 8

Edwin Davies 8

Paul Davies 8

Anthony W. England 8

Maureen M. Evans 8

Daphne M. Fudge 8

Gillian Gough 8

Jennifer Haines 8

Anthony D. Hill 8

Linda Hodkinson 8

Robert O. Jones 8

Anne C. Lee 8

Susan Meredith 8

Cheryl Mortimer 8

Arthur O’Brien 8

Karen O’Brein 8

Valmai M. Owen 8

Jacqueline Powell 8

Julie Price 8

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Joseph Wilkshire 8

Angela Williams 8

David W. Williams 8

Graham Williams 8

Carol A. Carpenter 9

David M. Davies 9

Royston Carl Davies 9

Ian Dougall 9

Brian Michael Gogh 9

Trevor T. Gray 9

Dwynwen Griffiths 9

Lynn Harding 9

Roger D. Hayes 9

Royston Hodkinson 9

Maralyn C. Howells 9

Annette Hughes 9

Necia James 9

Janet Jones 9

Kevin T. Jones 9

Paul Jones 9

Robert G. Jones 9

Susan Jones 9

John A. King 9

Sharon Lewis 9

Sandra Leyshon 9

Barbara E. Minney 9

Phillip Mumford 9

Jill E. Parfitt 9

Christine Prosser 9

Howard D. Prosser 9

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Layton K. Reakes 9

Julie J. Regan 9

Sylvia F. Richards 9

Martine A. Short 9

Annette Smith 9

Avis E. Sullivan 9

Keith Williams 9

Linda Anderson 10

Kelvin D. Andrew 10

Royston Barrett 10

Kay Bowns 10

Peter Collins 10

Susan M. Crotty 10

Gareth Davies 10

David T. Davies 10

Terence M. Davies 10

Sandra P. Donovan 10

Christine George 10

Richard P. Goldsworthy 10

Pamela Heaman 10

Stephen V. Hopkins 10

Eryl M. Jones 10

John I. Jones 10

Jean Launchbury 10

Robert Breeze 10

Jeanette L. Brown 10

Robert Breeze 10

Jeanette L. Brown 10

Desmond Carpenter 10

Michael Collins 10

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Maralyn Minnett 10

Robert G. Minney 10

Norma Mumford 10

Geoffrey D. Needs 10

Corwyn T. Reakes 10

Lorraine R.I. Richards 10

Megan O. Robbins 10

Anthiony J. Sullivan 10

Victoria M. Symonds 10

Randolph Tudor 10

Antony J. Watkins 10

Carol Williams 10

June M. Williams 10

Peter Williams 10

Merrill Barnard 11

Yvonne Drage 11

Jean W. Evans 11

Gillian I. Jones 11

Edward C. Mumford 11

Patricia Probert 12

Shelia Fitzpatrick 13

Michael Jones 13

Vincent C. Parfitt 13

Robert Coffey 14

Raymond J.Collins 14

Andrew Rees 14

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Michael Davies 21

Marjorie A. Rees 22

Brian Harris 24

Marjorie C. Evans 26

Graham Russel 26

Patricia Evans 32

Gwyneth Collins 34

Margareta Bates 35

Nancy Williams 44

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AdultsGlens G. Jones 46

Lewis Jones 46

David Beynon 47

Richard Jones 48

Sidney Russel 53

Myrtle I. Thomas 54

Charles Thomas 60

Margaret J. Carston 61

Evelyn M. Jones 61

Evan G. Carston 64

Albert Mytton 64

John M. Evans 65

Tydfil J. Taylor 73

Catherine Jones 75

Frederick Hanson 78

Ann Jennings -

Lucy May Mytton -

Susan Probert -

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Cynheidre, LlanelliOne of the most modern anthracite collieries in the UK at a cost of £16 Million and employed about 900 men producing 325,000 Tons of anthracite per yearOn the 6th April a hidden pocket of gas poured into an underground roadway killing six miners and injuring twenty five. If it had not been for the quick thinking of and unknown miner in switching of an air fan the death toll would have been much higher.

Death rollDouglas Lyndon Davies

William Luther Davies

Henryk Itzi

Albert George Miller

Henry Garfield Roberts

Ieuan Gareth Watkins

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Timeline of mining accidents in south wales/Avon valley

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