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Record That Made Me Weep | ||
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the first Wigan World of the New Year, I take you to foreign places, To Westhoughton.
In all there were 336 deaths and an eye-witness at the time said the explosion caused "smoke and fumes to belch like a living volcano out of the two shafts, flinging the timber and debris into the air, some to land on the adjoining winding house, followed by a huge cloud of dust which settled over the surrounding area. "The ground around the pithead vibrated and the dull, heavy roar was heard for up to four miles around." At the time almost 900 men were working underground - only four bodies were unidentified. |
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Hi They were involved in the rescue attempt at the Pretoria disaster in 1910. Both he and his brother, Walter, received the Hulton medal and are featured in the article concerning the presentation ceremony in 1911. Many thanks
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Hello To let you know that the Lancashire Online Parish Clerk project in conjunction with the Westhoughton Local History Group has just published a comprehensive documentation of the Pretoria Pit Disaster . Click below There is much factual information and maps about the pit and the disaster, though the main focus has been on gathering data about the 344 men and boys who died. Our information is based on records of fact, not on annecdotal evidence, hearsay and faded memories and we hope will lay to rest some of the misconceptions that inevitably arise when a catastrophe of this size happens. Regards |
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Hi my great, great uncle died in the pit disaster. I have only just recently found out he was George Sargeant. He was only young, with a wife and 2 kids. I was wondering if there were any photos of the miners so I could see what my uncle looked like? He is buried in Westhorton cemetery. His wife was called Mary Ann and his children were William and Amelia. Regards Wendy |