Six Bells Colliery

Current Status - Page under construction! and is far, far from complete!

Adams, Benjamin, 03 Jul 1905, (accident: 01 Jul 1905), aged 58, Timberman, When in the cage ready to ascend, a journey of trams was being lowered into the shaft siding. The men waiting to ascend thought the journey was running wild and began to hustle about. The cage began to ascend simultaneously, and Adams was pushed out and received injuries from which he died two days afterwards

Baiton, Ivor James, 28 Jun 1960, aged 48, Cutterman, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Bancroft, Daniel James, 28 Jun 1960, aged 46, Collier On Panzer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Blacker, Edgar, 25 Dec 1911, (accident: 01 May 1911), aged 22, Collier, While lifting a lump of coal he strained his shoulder. He died 25th December, 1911

Brown, Robert Charles, 28 Jun 1960, aged 35, Roof Control Officer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Bryant, Gabriel, 18 Sep 1912, aged 48, Assistant Timberman, While assisting to place a collar on two arms, it fell and killed him

Buck, William, 08 Jul 1906, (accident: 21 Apr 1902), aged 33, Haulier, Wm. Buck, 33, haulier, died on the 8th July from the effects of an accident which occurred on the 21st April, 1902, at Arrail Griffin Colliery. Death having taken place more than a year and a day after the accident, it is not comprised [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Challenger, Eli, 10 Jan 1902, aged 50, Collier, A piece of overhanging coal at the face fell and fractured his skull. A sprag, which was set, being too short, was useless. Apparently the result of his own carelessness

Coombes, Thomas, 25 Jul 1912, aged 40, Timberman's Labourer, Fall of roof on heading road. After assisting to erect a pair of timber, he was clearing some rubbish underneath, when a stone fell knocking off the newly-erected "arm" on to his head, causing fatal injuries

Cooper, Frank, 28 Jun 1960, aged 44, Supplies Man, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Corbett, Joseph, 28 Jun 1960, aged 50, Haulier, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Crandon, Thomas George, 28 Jun 1960, aged 46, Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Davies, Walter Thomas, 28 Jun 1960, aged 34, Borer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Day, Thomas, 09 Feb 1895, aged 42, Sinker, The deceased were descending the shaft to resume sinking operations. When about 56 yards from the bottom the hoppet struck the scaffold used for walling which was hung up against the side and caused the four men to fall to the bottom of the shaft where they were found dead [More information ...]

Doel, George, 24 Jun 1908, aged 29, Haulier, Crushed between a loaded tram and a post by the side of the road which was 10 inches clear of the rails. Apparently he was stooping to put a sprag in the front wheels when his horse moved forward. Had he been on the other side there was very ample room. (Horse haulage)

Edwards, Royden James, 28 Jun 1960, aged 27, Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Elsey, Percy Gordon, 28 Jun 1960, aged 52, Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Evans, Albert John, 28 Jun 1960, aged 34, Packer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Fear, Samuel H., 12 May 1907, 9.30 a.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 43, Fitter, Killed instantly by three "dandies," or ash trams, which ran wild down the incline leading to the boilers, without having been attached to the rope by which they are let down and drawn up. The labourer who, with another man, had to remove the ashes, pulled the trams into the incline and kept the runaway switches over to let the trams down to the boilers, thinking they were attached to the rope. Deceased was repairing a "tapping cock" in front of the boilers at the time. The labourer was censured severely by the coroner's jury for negligence, although not amounting to "culpable negligence"

Frampton, Leonard Keith, 28 Jun 1960, aged 29, Collier, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Gardner, Albert, 28 Jun 1960, aged 59, Assistant Cutterman, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Gilbert, Francis J., 20 Nov 1905, aged 23, Collier, A fall of about 500 tons of roof occurred while he and a comrade were working at the face. This is an instance which showed the unreasonableness of the maximum distances fixed for timbers under Special Rule 2, as it was shown at the inquest that timbers were rarely set at more than half the distance specified. Correspondence had taken place on the subject but remained unnoticed. The distances have since been reduced and made more reasonable

Goldspink, George, 28 Jun 1960, aged 37, Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Griffiths, Clive Alan, 28 Jun 1960, aged 18, Prop Checker, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Griffiths, George, 13 May 1914, (accident: 01 May 1914), aged 37, Haulier, He was knocked down by a runaway horse and crushed beneath the wheels of the tram. He died from his injuries on May 13th, 1914

Griffiths, Vernon Alexander, 28 Jun 1960, aged 33, Deputy, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Harding, Earnest Victor, 28 Jun 1960, aged 51, Deputy, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Harris, Henry, 22 Mar 1901, aged 30, Collier, Fall of top coal in his working place. It fell between cogs and the face, knocking out 3 posts which were under it

Herbert, Jacob, 02 May 1895, aged 40, Sinker, While chipping of a portion of the side to make room for arch bricking a stone at which he was working became loose and in getting out of the way he fell from the stage on which he was working and pitched head foremost onto some bricks lying on the shaft staging 4 feet 9 inches below. He sustained fractures of the skull from which he died in a few hours

Hobby, John, 15 May 1901, aged 54, Roadman, After opening a door to allow the approaching journey to pass through, he walked across the road and was knocked down and run over by the trams. There was very ample room at the place for him to stand clear

Hughes, William, 19 Feb 1901, aged 30, Labourer, He received a slight scratch on the leg — not sufficient to draw blood — from the buffer of a pit tram which was thrown off the rails by his horse in passing. At first it appeared trivial, but according to medical evidence death was the result of the accident. The man's constitution was not robust

Jefferys, David, 11 Dec 1906, (accident: 27 Jan 1904), Collier, David Jefferys, collier, died on the 11th December from injuries received by a fall of roof at the face at Arrail Griffin Colliery on the 27th January, 1904. Death occurring more than a year and a day after the accident it is not comprised [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Jones, Idris, 28 Jun 1960, aged 57, Packer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Jones, John Percival, 28 Jun 1960, aged 56, Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Jones, William, 08 Jul 1913, aged 15, Collier boy, Fall of coal at the face

King, Joseph John, 28 Jun 1960, aged 56, Packer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Lamb, John, 09 Feb 1895, aged 37, Sinker, The deceased were descending the shaft to resume sinking operations. When about 56 yards from the bottom the hoppet struck the scaffold used for walling which was hung up against the side and caused the four men to fall to the bottom of the shaft where they were found dead [More information ...]

Lane, Dennis Edmund, 28 Jun 1960, aged 19, Wireman, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Lucas, Benjamin, 30 Jan 1912, aged 45, Collier, Fall of roof at working face. In barring down a bed of clod over which was a bed of rashings projecting outwards from the face from the edge of the clod, both clod and rashings fell, killing him

Luffman, George Henry, 28 Jun 1960, aged 55, General Worker, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Lusty, Wiliam, 09 Feb 1895, aged 21, Sinker, The deceased were descending the shaft to resume sinking operations. When about 56 yards from the bottom the hoppet struck the scaffold used for walling which was hung up against the side and caused the four men to fall to the bottom of the shaft where they were found dead [More information ...]

Mapp, Telford Cecil, 28 Jun 1960, aged 42, General Worker, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Matthews, Edward, 11 Dec 1906, aged 35, Collier, Fall of coal from the "face" while he was filling a coal box to finish off a loaded tram. The coal appears to have burst off a straight face, showing that spragging should be strictly carried out, and enforced, in this Black Vein seam, even when coal is not overhanging

Matthews, James, 17 Sep 1907, 12.30 p.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 42, Collier, While engaged ripping top coal in his stall road, about 12 yards back from the working face, a fall of clod occurred. He does not appear to have taken precautions to secure this clod while working under it, as he should have done

Matthews, John, 14 Nov 1906, aged 33, Assistant Timberman, Three trams of an empty journey running down John Williams' Deep, on the west side of the shaft, became unhitched through the shackle pin rising from some unexplained cause. Running wild, the trams dashed into the full journey at the bottom of the double parting. Matthews, hearing them coming, instead of going into a manhole, ran to the double parting and was crushed between the trams. The road and manholes were in good order

Matthews, William, 09 Feb 1895, aged 36, Sinker, The deceased were descending the shaft to resume sinking operations. When about 56 yards from the bottom the hoppet struck the scaffold used for walling which was hung up against the side and caused the four men to fall to the bottom of the shaft where they were found dead [More information ...]

Mayberry, Herbert Amos, 28 Jun 1960, aged 55, Dumper, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

McElliott, William, 25 Sep 1902, (accident: 05 Feb 1901), aged 40, Labourer, William McElliott, 40, a labourer employed at Arrail Griffin Colliery, Aberbeeg, was injured on the 5th February, 1901, by a full tram colliding with one which he was unloading. Paralysis supervened and he died, on the 25th September, 1902, without having resumed work. As death occurred more than a year and a day after the accident, this is not comprised under the Coal Mines Regulations Act [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Meredith, David, 16 Apr 1902, aged 51, Labourer, David Meredith, 51, a labourer employed at Messrs. J. Lancaster and Company's Arrail Griffin Colliery, Aberbeeg, died from natural causes while at work on the 16th April [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Merrick, Herbert, 24 Oct 1910, aged 20, Labourer, The C-link on haulage rope broke and the end of the rope swung round and struck him on head

Moore, George, 20 May 1904, (accident: Jan 1904), Collier, George Moore, collier, died on the 20th May from ulceration of the stomach. He had met with a very slight accident at Arrail Griffin Colliery about the middle of January, and it was attempted to prove that death was due to this, but medical evidence was clear on the point that it was not so. [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Moore, Sidney, 28 Jun 1960, aged 54, Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Mopp, Charles, 01 Oct 1914, aged 15, Collier's Helper, Fall of coal and clod at the working place

Morden, William John, 28 Jun 1960, aged 52, Engine Driver, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Morgan, Colin Malcolm Donald, 28 Jun 1960, aged 26, Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Morgan, Colin Reginald, 28 Jun 1960, aged 22, Assistant Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Morgan, Eli, 14 Apr 1895, aged 35, Sinker, Having finished fixing a pipe in the sinking shaft about 35 yards from surface he was wound up in accordance with signal when the rope slipped out of the trough of the pulley. The jerk threw him out of the home loop in which he was riding and he fell to the bottom of the shaft 230 yards

Morgan, Ray Martin, 28 Jun 1960, aged 44, Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Morgan, Samuel, 23 Apr 1910, (accident: 07 Mar 1910), aged 32, Collier, Fall of roof at working face. Died 23rd April, 1910

Morgan, William, 12 Dec 1911, aged 54, Collier, Fall of roof at working face. While preparing to put up a prop under top clod he was killed by a fall from between two converging slips

Morris, Islwyn, 28 Jun 1960, aged 44, Deputy, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Orchard, Stanley Herbert, 30 Mar 1914, aged 24, Mason's Labourer, He was run over and killed as he attempted to crawl underneath some empty trucks

Partridge, Anthony Verdun, 28 Jun 1960, aged 20, Assistant Borer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Partridge, William Henry, 28 Jun 1960, aged 45, Borer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Paul, Trevor, 28 Jun 1960, aged 25, Assistant Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Peterson, Edward, 10 Mar 1914, (accident: 03 Nov 1913), aged 21, Collier, Fall of roof at working face. He was in the act of pulling down some coal, when a stone fell out from the roof and caused such injuries that he died on March 10th, 1914

Phipps, Wilfred Alfred Charles, 28 Jun 1960, aged 60, Cutterman, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Pinkett, Albert George, 28 Jun 1960, aged 45, Collier, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Powell, William, 23 Dec 1924, 12.45 a.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 64, Labourer, He was found dead underneath a fall of about 3 cwts. of coal, which formed the roof and which fell from between three well defined breaks in the roof. He had been sent by the overman to a particular stall, but evidently misunderstood the instructions, as he was found at another stall 60 yards away from that to which he had been sent. Electric safety lamp used

Prosser, Rees, 27 Feb 1900, (accident: 23 Jan 1900), aged 17, Haulier, His horse kicking, lashed the hook at the end of the trace out of another haulier's hand, and it struck Prosser on the forehead. He died on the 27th February from fracture of the inner skull, although he had resumed work for two or three weeks. But for the Compensation Act, this case would probably not have come under notice

Pursey, John, 13 Aug 1909, (accident: 10 Jun 1909), aged 69, Surface Labourer, Foot crushed by a coil of wire which fell from a railway van from which he was unloading material. Died August 13th, 1909, from pneumonia accelerated by the result of the injury. It is a case on which grave doubt exists, but, on the whole, on the Doctor's evidence, I consider it should be included as a fatal accident in or about a mine

Rees, Frederick, 28 Jun 1960, aged 37, Fitter, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Reynolds, Mansel, 28 Jun 1960, aged 21, Measurer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Reynolds, William Glyn, 28 Jun 1960, aged 21, Assistant Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Robbins, Frederick, 18 May 1901, aged 34, Collier, Fall of coal upon his having knocked out a sprag preparatory to getting it down

Sayce, Job, 06 Jan 1913, aged 47, Ostler, As he was leading a horse and lorry, loaded with horse-feed, through the entrance gate into the colliery yard, he was struck in the chest by the end of the shaft, causing fatal injuries

Sheehan, John, 17 Jan 1914, aged 47, Haulier, Fall of roof on curve of road. In taking a horse and loaded tram around a curve, the wheels left the rails and the tram knocked out some timber, letting down the roof upon him

Taylor, James, 20 Nov 1914, (accident: 19 Nov 1914), aged 53, Mason, He was knocked off a scaffold — 28 feet high — of a surface building, by a sheet of lead which he attempted to receive from a man on the crest of the roof. He died the following day from his injuries

Thomas, Wilfred Hughes, 28 Jun 1960, aged 57, Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Walden, Alfred, 28 Sep 1899, aged 35, Timberman, Fall of roof. He and others were repairing with a view to making a place safe where a large fall had occurred on the Main East Level. While so engaged a further fall took place, causing his death. Their judgement as to the condition of the stone was apparently in error

Waters, Arthur, 28 Jun 1960, aged 37, General Worker, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Waters, Henry, 04 May 1912, (accident: 03 May 1912), aged 48, Collier, Fall of side at working face. Whilst filling a box with coal a piece of the coal face fell upon him causing fatal injuries. He died the next day

Wathen, Frederick, 07 Feb 1906, aged 20, Labourer, Deceased was cleaning roads on Cousin's engine plane dipping 4½ inches in the yard. A tram ran wild from one of the headings and ran into a journey on its way to the shaft. Deceased was found underneath the second tram. The runaway tram was being filled during the shift on a steep road, without having been secured otherwise than with sprag's in the wheels, which were not sufficient to hold it

Watkins, Alfred James, 28 Sep 1909, aged 21, Collier, Fall of clod at the face within a few minutes of resuming work ; he had been delayed a long time that morning for the laying of a turn into his road

Watkins, Phillip John, 28 Jun 1960, aged 53, Engine Driver, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Weston, Wilfred, 28 Jun 1960, aged 47, Water Infuser On Panzer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

White, Frederick, 28 Jun 1960, aged 58, Under-Manager, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Whittingham, William Burdon, 28 Jun 1960, aged 55, Assistant Repairer, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Williams, Richard John, 28 Jun 1960, aged 51, General Worker, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]

Wiltshire, James, 05 Sep 1903, aged 41, Collier, While chipping the coal which sticks to the clod roof, he cut a false slip, from which the stone fell on him. Although the roof is considered treacherous, there was 12 inches at this place without a post. This is clearly unsatisfactory, and indicates laxity on the part of the examiners

Withers, Alexander George, 28 Mar 1913, aged 17, Engine Driver, He was caught and pulled into the pulley of a washery pump and fatally injured. It is unknown how he came to be caught, as the machinery was properly fenced

Woosnam, John, 28 Jun 1960, aged 24, Fitter, Explosion, firedamp propagated by coal dust, ignition caused by frictional heat from a piece of falling quartzitic rock [More information ...]