The Names of the Dead: -

Claude Hodgkinson	age 40
George Skidmore	age 43
John Kennedy	age 45
William Hyde	age 35
Joseph Cornwall	age 14
Jacob Copnall	age 42
Walter Griffiths	age 25
Levi McCready	age 27
Ernest Brown	age 42
James Brown	age 42
Albert Poole	age 34
Robert McCready	age 39

The inquest on the twelve men who met their deaths in the pit fire at New Hem heath colliery on the 25th February was held on Tuesday 11th March 1915 at the George and Dragon, Chesterton. Mr. Wilmot John Hassam, mining engineer and manager of the colliery, produced a plan showing the scene of the accident and described the structure of the engine room. Mr. Saint, HM Inspector of Mines, asked him of his actions when he heard of the fire. Mr. Hassam replied that when he got to the engine room the fire was raging rapidly and had extended into the dip where supports were on fire and the roof fell in and blocked the road entirely, this also effected the ventilation. Another witness said, the stoves were filled about once every shift and he had never seen a funnel being used and the oil often overflowed into the water below. Mr. Moody said the hosepipe was kept on the pit bank. When they got the hosepipe fitted they commenced pumping water on the flames, although they were unable to reach the seat of the fire. It was agreed that sand or earth might have proved efficient in combating the fire in the first stage. It was also said that definite instructions had been given, that the lamps in the engine room must never be filled in the engine room. Other witnesses gave evidence, which has already been described.

The Coroner's Summing Up

The Coroner, in reviewing the evidence, Said, the facts were particularly simple. The pit was one where naked lights, were allowed to be used, and so far as he could see, there was no breach of the Mines Regulations Act. He thought however, that the jury would agree that the method adopted for heating, was a somewhat crude, and one that certainly could have been improved upon. Brown ought to have known at the same time, that it was a very foolish thing to fill those stoves in the engine-house, while they were still lighted. Another matter he wished to refer to, was that it would have been better to have had the hose down the pit instead of it on the top. Had it been available, Brown might have dealt with the fire promptly and effectively. With the means they had, he thought all the men worked as hard as they could to save life. Bickerton certainly deserved to be highly commended for what he did.
It was wonderful that he was alive to give evidence.
The only clause in the Act, which might have a bearing on the case, was section 70, which provided that where timber or other inflammable material was stored, adequate mean of extinguishing fire must be provided. He assumed the method in this case was adopted a considerable time ago, and was within the knowledge of the Inspector of Mines who passed it.
He did not think the jury would find any difficulty in arriving at the cause of death. They had also to find whether anyone was responsible and he would certainly say, after the evidence, that nobody was responsible, that it was a pure accident. Thirdly, they could express their view as to how to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.

The jury quickly came to a decision and the foreman said: that the deceased had died of carbon monoxide poisoning, set up by an accidental fire at the colliery. The jury agreed with the Coroners remarks in regard to the facilities provided, and the hope that the bravery of Bickerton would be recognised in some way. On behalf of the residents of Chesterton, he would also like to thank the Mines Rescue Brigades for their excellent work.

The Carnegie Medal

The Carnegie Medal This medal was presented to Harry Bickerton and Thomas Gleaves who, at considerable risk to their own lives, rescued six men who were overcome with carbon dioxide at New Hem Heath colliery on February 25th 1915, they tried in vain to rescue the other remaining 12 men, who were unfortunately suffocated, before being overcome themselves and being brought to the surface by the rescue team.

The Carnegie Medal