Arrael Griffin Colliery, Six Bells – List of Fatalities 1890-1988

Arrael Colliery, Six Bells Colliery – Fatalities 1890-1988. 
This list of deaths that occurred at the Arrael Griffin Colliery, Six Bells covers most of those reported in National and Local Newspapers. The first deaths occurred during the sinking of the No.4 & No.5 shafts at the colliery and are covered in detail on another page, though they are listed below for reference. 

This page is fluid and will be updated as more information is received.

Sinking Deaths.
The First Sinking Fatalities.
On Saturday 9th February 1895 four men were fell to their deaths while sinking the Arrael Griffin Colliery, Six Bells, Abertillery.
Mr William Matthews, aged 36. Died – Saturday 9th February 1895. Cause of death – Fell down the shaft. Mr Matthews lived at Pontnewydd, Pontypool.

Mr William Lusty, aged 21. Died –  Saturday 9th February 1895. Cause of death – Fell down the shaft. Mr Lusty lived at 6 Court Terrace, Llanhilleth.

Mr John Lamb, aged 37. Died – Saturday 9th February 1895. Cause of death – Fell down the shaft. Mr Lamb lived as a lodger at Blaenau Gwent, Abertillery.

Mr Thomas Day. Died – Saturday 9th February 1895. Cause of death – Fell down the shaft. Mr Day lived as a lodger at Mitre Street, Abertillery.

The Second Sinking Fatality.
 In April 1895 another accident occurred in the shaft at Arrael Griffin Colliery Six Bells, Abertillery resulting in the death of a chargeman.
Mr Eli Morgan, aged 36. Died – April 1895. Cause of death – An accident in the shaft, Mr Morgan was fixing pipes when the bowk caught and he fell down the shaft. 

The Third Sinking Fatality.
On Thursday 2nd May 1895 a serious accident occurred at the Arrael Griffin Colliery Six Bells, Abertillery. Two sinkers named Mr Herbert and Mr Kyle were seriously injured by a fall of the side in the shaft, It was reported Mr Jacob Kyle was slightly injured though Mr James Jacob Herbert was conveyed home where he succumbed to his injuries four hours later.
Mr James Jacob Herbert, aged 40. Died – Thursday 2nd May 1895. Cause of death –  Fall of rock in the shaft. Mr Herbert lived at 74 Edward Street, Blaenau Gwent, Abertillery.

Coal Production Deaths.
Listed below are the fatalities reported at the Arrael Griffin Colliery Six Bells between 1897-1988. The list is fluid and will be updated as more information is received.

1899.
Alfred James Walden, aged 35. Died – September 1899. Cause of death – Fall. The death of Mr Walden was the first death at the colliery during coal production.

1901.
Mr William Hughes. Died – March 1901. Cause of death – Mr Hughes was kicked by a horse on previous Tuesday 19th February 1901 and later died from complications on Thursday 21st March 1901. Mr Hughes lived at 30 River Row, Six Bells, Abertillery. River Row was later renamed Griffin Street.

Mr Harry Harris, aged 30. Died – March 1901. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Harris lived at Ash Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr John Hobbs, aged 57. Died – May 1901. Cause of death – Mr Hobbs was crushed by a journey of drams. Mr Hobbs lived at 45 Blaenau Gwent Rows, Abertillery.

1902.
Mr Eli Challenger, aged 51. Died – January 1902. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Challenger lived at 61 Glandwr Street, Abertillery.

1903.
Mr James Wiltshire, aged 41. Died – September 1903. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Wiltshire lived in lodgings at Queen Street, Abertillery.

1905.
Mr Benjamin Adams, aged 60. Died – July 1905. Cause of death – Mr Adams fell from the ascending cage and broke his back. Mr Adams lived at 57 Powell Street, Abertillery. As the men finished work and were loaded into the cage to come up the pit, a warning was given that there was a run-away journey heading towards pit bottom as the cage started to rise, the men in the cage panicked and tried to jump clear resulting in four men being injured from the fall from the ascending cage. Mr Adams later died from his injuries with a Mr George Loughman also being seriously injured though survived. Two others were hurt and were able to walk home. It was later stated that the journey of drams did run away but they were under control, it was reported as a false alarm.

Mr Francis John Gilbert, aged 23. Died – November 1905. Cause of death – Mr Gilbert was buried beneath 500 tons of stone after a heavy roof fall. Mr Albin George Sweet of Blaina Road, Abertillery was with the deceased and was also buried though was pulled out alive. It was more than 24 hours later that the body of Mr Gilbert was recovered owing to the succession of falls. Mr Gilbert lived with his parents at Warm Turn, Six Bells, Abertillery.

1906.
Mr Charles Moore. Died – January 1906. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Moore lived at Cwmtillery, Abertillery.

Mr Frederick Wathan, aged 20. Died – February 1906. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams.

Mr John Matthews, aged 32. Died – Friday 16th November 1906. Cause of death – Mr Matthews had been crushed by a run-away journey of drams on Wednesday 14th November 1906 and died two days later Friday 16th November 1906 from severe injuries.

Mr Edmund Matthews, aged 35. Died – December 1906. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Matthews lived at Park View, Abertillery.

1907.
Mr Samuel Henry Fear, aged 43. Died – May 1907. Cause of death – Crushed by a runaway journey of drams. Mr Fear lived at 13 Griffin Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr James Matthews. Died – September 1907. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Matthews lived at New Princess Street, Abertillery.

1908.
Mr George Doel, aged 29. Died – June 1908. Cause of death – Crushed by a dram. Mr Doel lived in Arrail Street, Six Bells.

1909.
Mr John Pursey, aged 67. Died – August 1909. Mr Pursey was a store keeper and received an accident which broke his ankle the previous Thursday 10th June 1909, implications set in and he died from the injuries on the Friday 13th August 1909. Mr Pursey lived at Park Place, Abertillery.

Mr Alfred James Watkins, aged 20. Died – September 1909. Cause of death – No details. Mr Watkins lived at 8 Belmont Terrace, Aberbeeg.

1910.
Mr Samuel George Morgan, aged 32. Died – April 1910. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Morgan lived at Park Place, Abertillery. He had the accident in the previous March 7th 1910 though never recovered.

Mr Hubert Merrick. Died – Tuesday 25th October 1910. Mr Merrick was hit in the head by a chain under strain, in an accident the previous day, on Monday 24th October 1910, he was conveyed home but died from his injuries the following day on Tuesday 25th October 1910. Mr Merrick lived in lodgings at 33 Arrail Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

1911.
Mr William Morgan, aged 54. Died – December 1911. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Morgan lived at Bryngwyn Road, Six Bells.

Mr Edgar Blacker, aged 22. Died – December 1911. Mr Blacker had been injured in an accident in the previous July where he badly strained himself and never really recovered. Mr Blacker was married to Mrs Rachel Novello Blacker and lived at Gilfach Cottage, Cwmnantygroes, Six Bells.

1912.
Mr Benjamin Lucas, aged 45. Died – January 1912. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Lucas lived at Vivian Terrace, Alexandra Road, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr Henry Waters, aged 48. Died – May 1912. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Walters lived at 30 Victoria Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr Thomas Coombes, aged 40. Died – July 1912. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Coombes lived at 85 Glandwr Street, Abertillery.

Mr Gabriel Bryant, aged 48. Died – September 1912. Cause of death – Mr Bryant was struck by a falling collar. Mr Bryant lived in lodgings at 59 Vivian Street, Abertillery.

1913.
Mr Job Sayce, aged 47. Died – January 1913. Cause of death – Mr Sayce was crushed by a horse and cart at the colliery surface. Mr Sayce lived at the Arrail Cottages, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr Alexander George Withers, aged 17. Died – March 1913. Cause of death – Caught in machinery at the Arrael Griffin Colliery Washery. Mr Withers lived at 176 Gladstone Street, Abertillery.

Mr William Jones, aged 16. Died – July 1913. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Jones lived at Cross Street, Abertillery.

Mr Edmund Charles Albert Peterson, aged 22. Died – Monday 3rd November 1913. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Peterson was reported to have broken his back and was in a serious condition with no hope of survival. No official death report concerning Mr Edmund C. A. Peterson was registered until the following March 1914? Mr Peterson lived at 10 Penygraig Cottages, Six Bells, Abertillery.

1914.
Mr Robert Sheehan, aged 47. Died – January 1914. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Sheehan lived in lodgings at Clarence Place, Blaenau Gwent, Abertillery.

Mr Stanley Herbert Orchard, aged 23. Died – March 1914. Cause of death – Run over by coal trucks.

Mr George Griffiths, aged 36. Died – May 1914. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams. Mr Griffiths was lodging at 36 Lancaster Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr James Taylor, aged 53. (Arrail Griffin) Died – November 1914. Cause of death – Mr Taylor was a mason working on the surface buildings, he was knocked off the roof and died. Mr Taylor lived at Queen Street, Abertillery.

1915.
Mr Edward D’Arcey. Died – September 1915. Cause of death – Fall.

Mr George Mapp, aged 47. Died – December 1915. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Mapp lived at Cefn Coch, Crumlin.

1916.
Mr Henry Payne Voyce, aged 16. Died – January 1916. Cause of death – Mr Voyce was crushed by a haulage rope while taking the journey into the work place. Mr Voyce was the son of Mr Jonas Voyce, an ex-police constable and resided with his parents at Scotia House, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr George Holly, aged 45. Died – Saturday 22nd January 1916. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Holly had been badly injured in a fall at the colliery on Saturday 15th January 1916 and did not recover, he died from his injuries on the following Saturday 22nd January 1916. Mr Holly lived at Old Penybont Road, Cwmtillery.

1917.
Mr Howell Ambrose Strickland. Died – August 1917. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Strickland lived at 34 Upper Arrail Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr John Avery, aged 44. Died – October 1917. Cause of death – Mr Avery died from internal injuries after being kicked by a horse. Mr Avery lived at 57 Arrail Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr Albert Gay, aged 43. Died – December 1917. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Gay lived at Richmond Road, Abertillery.

1918.
Mr William James Bevan, aged 43. Died – November 1918. Cause of death – Fall.

Mr George Lee, aged 77. Died – October 1918. Cause of death – Crushed by a railway wagon on the sidings at the surface of the colliery. Mr Lee was a plate layer.

1919.
Mr Thomas Collins, aged 58. Died – January 1919. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Collins lived at 3 Lawn Terrace, Crumlin.

Mr Clifford May, aged 15. Died – August 1919. Cause of death – Fall. Mr May lived at 18 Jubilee Road, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr George Reed, aged 48. Died – September 1919. Cause of death – Heart failure. Mr Reed lived at 34 Alexandra Road, Six Bells.

1921.
Mr Benjamin Williams. Died – February 1921. Cause of death – Mr Williams was a rope-man and was crushed in a haulage engine while trying to keep the rope on the haulage drum in coil. Mr Williams lived at 4 Griffin Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

1922.
Mr Alfred James Vaughan, aged 42. Died – July 1922. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams.

Mr Lewis Jenkins. Died – August 1922. Mr Jenkins lived at Aberbeeg. (No reports found).

1923.
Mr Edwin Stephens, aged 35. Died – August 1923. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams. Mr Stephens lived at 24 Hope Street, Blaina.

1924.
Mr James Jones, aged 56. Died – March 1924. Cause of death – Mr Jones dropped dead before descending the shaft. Mr Jones was a colliery fireman lived at 37 Old Woodland Terrace, Aberbeeg.

Mr William Henry Powell, aged 61. Died – December 1924. Cause of death – Caught under a fall. Mr Powell lived at 31 Caefelin Street, Llanhilleth.

1925.
Mr William Henry Powell, aged 68. Died – January 1925. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Powell lived at Cae’r Fellin Street, Llanhilleth.

Mr William George James, aged 40. Died – April 1925. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams. Mr James lived at Back Cottage, Vale Terrace, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Master Clifford Rhys Lane, aged 15. Died – October 1925. Cause of death – Caught under a fall. Master Lane was a colliery helper and lived at 19 Victoria Road, Six Bells, Abertillery.

1926.
Mr Leslie Clifford Emes, aged 21. Died – October 1926. Cause of death – Mr Emes fell through the roof of the fitting shops on the colliery surface while changing the metal sheeting. Mr Emes was living at 7 Duffryn Row, Penybont, Cwmtillery.

1927.
Mr Richard Hagland, aged 56. Died – Saturday 5th February 1927. Cause of death – Mr Hagland lost an eye in an accident at the colliery on the previous 24th March 1926. He never really recovered and the accident brought on a series of epileptic seizures with resulted in his death.

1928.
Mr Arthur James Moore. Died – January 1928. Cause of death – Believed to have been from complications as of an accident received on November 15th 1917. Mr Moore was a victim of a fall of stone which fractured his skull. He had returned to work on light duties but failed to properly recover. Mr Moore lived at 11 Partridge Road, Llanhilleth.

Mr William J Doel, aged 53. Died – January 1928. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Doel lived at Hafod Fan Road, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr John Watkins, aged 53. Died – April 1928. Fell from staging underground, taken to hospital but never recovered. Mr Watkins lived at “Bryngwyn House” 126 Richmond Road, Abertillery.

Mr William Henry Taylor, aged 53. Died – June 1928. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams. Mr Taylor lived at 19 Griffin Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr Richard Jones. aged 65. Died – August 1928. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams. Mr Jones lived at 5 Llwyn-On Road, Six Bells Abertillery and had worked at the Arrael Griffin Colliery since 1897.

Mr Ernest Jones, aged 41. Died – December 1928. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Jones lived at No.74 Richmond Road, Abertillery. He had been severely injured on the Saturday 1st December and taken to Aberbeeg Hospital, he never recovered and died the following day on Sunday 2nd December 1928.

Mr Edmund Parfitt, aged 36. Died – March 1929. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Parfitt lived at 13 Penygraig Terrace, Aberbeeg.

1930.
Mr James Gibbons Fear, aged 66. Died – March 1930. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams. Mr Fear lived at 8 Park Place, Abertillery and had been working at the Arrael Griffin Colliery since it opened and had been a member of the sinking team at the Vivian Colliery, Abertillery.

Mr Edwin Clarke, aged 62. Died – May 1930. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams. Mr Clarke lived at 22 Coronation Road, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr William Isaac Evans, aged 32. Died – July 1930. Cause of death – No details. Mr Evans lived at Pontywain, Pontypool.

1931.
Mr James Thomas. Died – April 1931. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Thomas lived at 43 Gray Street, Abertillery.

1934.
Mr Guy H. Vagg, aged 48. Died – May 1934. Mr Vagg died from injuries received whilst boring rock in the previous January 1934. Mr Vagg lived at Arrail Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

1935.
Mr John Griffiths Flowers, aged 55. Died – September 1935. Cause of death – Fall. Mr lived at High Croft, Warm Turn, Aberbeeg. Mr Flowers was involved in a fall a few weeks previously and never recovered.

1937.
Mr William Thomas James, aged 27. Died – February 1937. Cause of death – Mr James was severely crushed by a journey and was taken to the Abertillery and District Hospital, it was decided to operate though Mr James died from his injuries. The doctor said it was one of the worst cases of internal crushing that he had ever saw. Mr James lived at 100 Tillery Road, Abertillery.

Mr George Henry Evans, aged 53. Died – July 1937. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Evans lived at 1 Bywaters Row, Abertillery.

1939.
Mr Charles Flook, aged 56. Died – January 1939. Cause of death – Crushed by a dram. Mr Flook lived at Christchurch, Aberbeeg.

Mr Cyrus Davies, aged 36. Died – April 1939. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Davies lived at Bridge Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

1940.
Mr Thomas Reynolds, aged 70. Died – Friday 12th July 1940. Cause of death – Cerebral Haemorrhage. Mr Reynolds had received a blow to the head on Thursday 27th June 1940 though carried on working, he died on Friday 12th July while still working below ground, the coroner stated the haemorrhage was from the blow previously received. Mr Reynolds lived at 9 Victoria Road, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr Thomas Staples, aged 56. Died – September 1940. Cause of death – Run over by a journey. Mr Staples lived at 7 York Street, Abertillery.

Mr Joseph Smith, aged 62. Died – November 1940. Cause of death – Crushed by a horse and dram.

1941.
Mr George James Aylesbury, aged 18. Died – July 1941. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Aylesbury lived at 79 Richmond Road, Abertillery.

Mr Harold Jesse Veasey, aged 36. Died – December 1941. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Veasey lived at 66 Tillery Street, Abertillery.

1944.
Mr Albert James Holland, aged 59. Died – February 1944. Cause of death – No details. Mr Holland lived at 15 High Street, Six Bells.

Mr Albert James Sparey, aged 67. Died – June 1944. Cause of death – Mr Sparey collapsed and died below ground. Mr Sparey lived at 59 Lancaster Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr Arthur Thomas Bridges, aged 39. Died – August 1944. Cause of death – No details. Mr Bridges lived at 47 Abertillery Road, Blaina.

Mr Glyn Idris Evans, aged 48. Died – November 1944. Cause of death – No details. Mr Evans lived with his brother and sister-in-law at 8 New High Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr Daniel Bowen, aged 53. Died – December 1944. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Bowen lived at 115 Woodland Terrace, Aberbeeg.

1946.
Mr Frank Hillman, aged 59. Died – April 1946. Cause of death – Mr Hillman collapsed and died while at work at the colliery. Mr Hillman lived at Pantypwdyn Road, Abertillery.

Mr William James Harris, aged 37. Died – September 1946. Cause of death – Mr Harris severely strained himself at the colliery and was taken to the Abertillery District Hospital where he died from his injuries a few days later. Mr Harris lived at 26 Under Houses, Princess Street, Abertillery.

1947.
Mr Arthur Williams, aged 61. Died – March 1947. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams. Mr Williams lived at Hill Street, Abertillery.

Mr Williams died during the great snow storms of March 1947 and a report from the South Wales Gazette dated Friday 14th March 1947 states that the Arrael Griffin miners had volunteered to clear the snow-blocked road to Cwmtillery Cemetery so that their workmate Mr Williams could be buried. They were joined by hundreds of men, women and children who cleared a path for over two-miles in length. This feat which began on Friday, and carried on during Saturday and Sunday was seen as one of the most remarkable community efforts in the history of Abertillery.

1948.
Mr Leonard Phillip Evans, aged 33. Died – September 1948. Cause of death – Mr Evans lived at 2 Earl Street, Abertillery.

Mr Ronald Herbert George Light, aged 38. Died – October 1948. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Light was trapped by a fall, two of his colleagues – Mr Ernest Victor Harding and Mr Arthur Bobbett worked hard to free their companion. Such were the courageous efforts of Mr Arthur Bobbett he was commended for his his actions and was to be recommended for a bravery award. Mr Light lived at 9 Mount Pleasant Bungalows, Llanhilleth.

Mr Arthur Bobbett, aged 48. Died – November 1948. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Bobbett lived at Woodland Terrace, Aberbeeg.

The previous month Mr Bobbett was involved with the attempted rescue of Mr Ronald Herbert George Light (as seen above) in which he was put forward for a bravery award. Sadly, before this honour was carried out Mr Bobbett himself was fatally injured in a similar accident.

On Saturday 10th September 1949 Mr Arthur Bobbett was posthumously awarded the Daily Herald “Order of Industrial Heroism” award, The Edward Medal for Gallantry and the Carnegie Award, the awards were received by his wife and son at the Abertillery Council Chambers.

Mr William Edgar Castree, aged 33. Died – November 1948. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Castree lived at 51 Tillery Street, Abertillery.

1950.
Mr Brinley Davies, aged 44. Died – February 1950. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Davies lived at 14 Victoria Row, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr William Henry Hiley, aged 31. Died – June 1950. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Hiley lived at 10 Hill Street, Abertillery.

Mr John George Clark, aged 59. Died – September 1950. Cause of death – Accidental death. The inquiry stated that the cause of death was inconclusive as the evidence was not clear and the news papers even reported that it was a mystery. Witnesses confirmed that Mr Clark was found underground laying on the ground close to a horse and dram, he had suffered a fractured skull and other injuries but they couldn’t say for certain what had killed him or how he had died. Mr Clark lived at 98 Arrail Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

1951.
Mr Emlyn James Evans, aged 58. Died – January 1951. Cause of death – No details. Mr Evans lived at 25 Powell Street, Abertillery.

1952.
Mr William Charles Brindley, aged 26. Died – June 1952. Cause of death – Death from electrocution. Mr Brindley was the colliery electrician and lived at Penybont Road, Abertillery.

1953.
Mr Frederick Hodges, aged 63. Died – February 1953. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey. Mr Hodges lived at 40 Lancaster Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr Edward “Teddy” Fisher, aged 48. Died – October 1953. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Fisher lived at 25a Tillery Road, Abertillery.

1954.
Mr Wyndham Young, aged 64. Died – October 1954. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams. Mr Young lived at Duke Street, Abertillery.

Mr Thomas Sheppard, aged 33. Died – October 1954. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Sheppard lived at 12 Earl Street, Abertillery.

1955.
Mr Charles Henry Evans, aged 40. Died – February 1955. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Evans lived at Bron-y-Bryn, Sofrydd, Crumlin. During the rescue attempt Mr Melvin Bryant of Winifred Terrace, Cwmtillery was injured by a second fall though luckily was rescued and taken to the Abertillery and District Hospital for treatment to his injuries.

1957.
Mr Arthur Mills, aged 58. Died – November 1957. Cause of death – Died after receiving an injury to the eye. Mr Mills lived at 70 Vivian Street, Abertillery.

1958.
Mr Michael Redvers Burnett, aged 18. Died – January 1958. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams. The coroner stated the exact nature of how Mr Burnett was hit by the journey remained a mystery. Mr Burnett was a trainee electrician and lived at Forest Lodge, Aberbeeg.

Mr William H. Jones, aged 52. Died – October 1958. Cause of death – Mr Jones collapsed and died in the managers office at Six Bells Colliery, Mr Jones was an area assistant safety officer and lived at Gladstone Street, Blaina.

1959.
Mr Trevor Roberts, aged 44. Died – March 1959. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Roberts lived at 102 Glandwr Street, Abertillery though his funeral took place at Glyntaff, Pontypridd.

Mr Arthur Sidney Berryman, aged 50. Died – December 1959. Cause of death – Collapsed and died whilst underground at the colliery. Mr Berryman lived at Lower Crook Hill, Cwmtillery. 

1960.
Mr Kenneth Crabb, aged 22. Died – June 1960. Cause of death – Collapsed and died coroners verdict was death by natural causes. Mr Crabbe lived at Coed Iorwg, High Street, Abertillery.

The June 1960 Explosion Victims.
A list of the 45 victims.
The forty-five victims of the explosion were as follows –
Mr Ivor James Bainton aged 48 (Cutterman);
Mr Daniel James Bancroft aged 46 (Collier on Panzer);
Mr Robert Charles Brown aged 35 (Roof Control Officer);
Mr Frank Cooper aged 44 (Supplies Man);
Mr Joseph Corbett aged 50 (Haulier);
Mr Thomas George Crandon aged 46 (Repairer);
Mr Walter Thomas Davies aged 34 (Borer);
Mr Roydon James Edwards aged 27 (Repairer);
Mr Percy Gordon Elsey aged 52 (Repairer);
Mr Albert John Evans aged 34 (Packer);
Mr Leonard Keith Frampton aged 29 (Collier);
Mr Albert Gardner aged 59 (Assistant Cutterman);
Mr George Goldspink aged 37 (Repairer);
Mr Clive Alan Griffiths aged 18 (Prop Checker);
Mr Vernon Alexander Griffiths aged 33 (Deputy Grade I);
Mr Ernest Victor Harding aged 51 (Deputy Grade I);
Mr Idris Jones aged 57 (Packer);
Mr John Percival Jones aged 56 (Repairer);
Mr Joseph John King aged 56 (Packer);
Mr Dennis Edmund Lane aged 19 (Wireman);
Mr George Henry Luffman aged 55 (General Workman);
Mr Telford Cecil Mapp age 42 (General Workman);
Mr Herbert Amos Mayberry aged 55 (Dumper);
Mr William John Morden aged 52 (Engine Driver);
Mr Sidney Moore aged 54 (Repairer);
Mr Colin Malcolm Donald Morgan aged 26 (Repairer);
Mr Colin Reginald Morgan aged 22 (Assistant Repairer);
Mr Ray Martin Morgan aged 44 (Repairer);
Mr Iswyn Morris aged 44 (Deputy Grade II);
Mr Anthony Verdun Partridge aged 20 (Assistant Borer);
Mr William Henry Partridge aged 45 (Borer);
Mr Trevor Paul aged 25 (Assistant Repairer);
Mr Wilfred Alfred Charles Phipps aged 60 (Cutterman);
Mr Albert George Pinkett aged 45 (Collier);
Mr Frederick Rees aged 37 (Fitter Grade II);
Mr Mansel Reynolds aged 21 (Measurer);
Mr William Glyn Reynolds aged 21 (Assistant Repairer);
Mr Wilfred Hughes Thomas aged 57 (Repairer);
Mr Arthur Waters aged 37 General Workman);
Mr Phillip John Watkins aged 53 (Engine Driver);
Mr Wilfred Weston aged 47 (Water Infuser on Panzer);
Mr Frederick White aged 58 (Under-Manager);
Mr William Burdon Whittingham aged 55 (Assistant Repairer);
Mr Richard John Williams aged 51 (General Workman);
Mr John Woosnam aged 24 (Fitter Grade I):

1962.
Mr John Charles Mitchard, aged 50. Died – January 1962. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Mitchard lived at Oxford Street, Abertillery.

Mr Malcolm Davies, aged 22. Died – February 1962. Cause of death – Fall. Mr Davies lived at 75 Gladstone Street, Abertillery.

1963.
Mr Austin Mervyn Gardner, aged 60. Died – December 1963. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey. Mr Gardner lived at 28 Arrail Street, Abertillery.

1966.
Mr John Henry Hunt, aged 50. Died – January 1966. Cause of death – No details. Mr Hunt lived at 7 Griffin Street, Six Bells, Abertillery.

Mr Raymond James Parsons, aged 45. Died – May 1966. Cause of death – Crushed by a journey of drams. Mr Parsons lived at 7 Upper Levels, Abertillery.

Many thanks to Mr Bryan Boots for his help in compiling this list. 

(More to be added as new information is received).