The South Wales Gazette for Friday November 18 th 1921 on pages 11 and 12.

William Hutchings
ABERTILLERY COLLIERY FATALITY.
INQUEST AT NEWPORT.
FIREMANS SINGLE VISIT.

The circumstances attending the death of William Hutchings (34), collier, 13, Clarence Street, Abertillery, who died at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport. on Wednesday week as the result of injuries received the same day, were inquired into by the Newport Coroner, Mr. Lyndon Moore, on Tuesday.

Evidence of identification was given by the deceased’s brother John - Henry Hutchings, who said that the deceased had been employed at the Vivian Colliery Abertillery. He left a widow and two
children.

Dan Walboyos of 47, King Street, Abertillery, a collier’s helper, said he was working with the deceased on November 9th. They were employed in making room for a pit prop. He heard a fall—” “a noise like thunder” —and on going to where the deceased was he heard someone shout.
“Hold on,” Deceased was found underneath a fall or roof. Witness heard the expression, “Oh, Dan” He had been working there over three hours.

In answer to Mr B. F. Kerridge, who watched the proceedings on behalf of the Home Office, witness said that the fireman had been around, and had examined the place. There was a good stock of timber handy.

The fireman, Philip Weyborne, of 82, Richmond Road. Abertillery, said that he examined the stall, the timbering, and roof. Everything was in order. Witness could not explain the accident, unless the deceased had moved the post in his attempt to chip the stick.

In answer to the Coroner, witness said he did not, usually visit each stall twice.

The Coroner pointed out that two visits by each fireman to every stall during a shift were compulsory.

The inspector of Mines. Mr. Kerridge, said he would take the matter up with the company.

The coroner said the point raised was very important in the interests of the men nod of the colliery and should be looked into.

Ben Lewis, another collier, said that the accident occurred through the deceased chippi ng the stick in order to get a post in position.

Dr. Raphael Thurz, of the medical staff of the Royal Gwent Hospital. Said that the deceased was admitted to the hospital unconscious and was suffering from a fractured skull. He died a few hours later. He never recovered consciousness.

In summing up, the Coroner said there was no suggestion of negligence, but if there had been some slackness, then it must be remedied. The deceased was a sober and industrious workman, and death was due to a compound fracture of the skull caused by the fall.

Late Mr. William Hutchings
The remains of the late Mr William Hutchings, of 13, Clarence Street, who died at the Royal Gwent Hospital on Wednesday week, were interred at the New Cemetery, Aberbeeg, on Monday. The funeral was of a somewhat unusual character, as there was no minister of religion present, and the committal service was conducted by Mr. Theophilus Davies, an ex-president of the New Era Union. Many friends and fellow workmen, among whom his genial disposition had made him very popular, were present at the funeral.

Among those present was Mr. George Barker, MP, addressing the congregation said they were met to pay their tribute of respect to their beloved comrade and colleague William Hutchings. It had been his privilege to know him intimately for over twelve years. As a citizen he bore the very highest character. His life was truly blameless. His out standing characteristic was humility - a
dignified and ennobling humility. He was a most loveable man, and truly the friend of little children. For many years he was a Sunday school teacher and no man was more qualified for that responsible position. His great purpose was to make boys and girls good and useful citizens of their native country and of the world. This part of his ‘life he considered the most important, and he thought he was right. His services to his fellow men were unstinting and unselfish and given with joy. He left them a very high example to emulate. They, as citizens, deeply mourned his death, which befell him while winning bread for these he loved, and this was another proof of the terrible danger of the miner’s daily work, for which society gives him s cant honour and recognition, They sincerely and deeply sympathised with his family and particularly with his widow and little ones. The greatest tribute they could pay to his memory was to emulate the great example he had left them and go on with the good work he took such a noble part in.

A selection from the “New Era hymn book was sung, and the proceedings concluded with “the singing of verses from “The Red Flag.”

Interestingly, John Henry Hutchings felt strongly enough about certain errors in the above newspaper reports to send the following letter correcting them. It is also interesting to note that Willie Hutchings was thought enough of in the trade union and labour movement for George Barker MP to attend his funeral and to address the congregation.

The National Library of Wales has the following document on the New Era Union that needs to be studied: “WD 1/24” New, Era - Union Men’s Sunday Afternoon Class minute book 1916’ 1916-1919 - The file consists of a minute book, June 1916 - December 1919, of the ‘New, Era - Union Men’s Sunday Afternoon Class’, which was a class for ladies and gentlemen interested in social and industrial problems, and later became a class in industrial history. The minute book also appears to record meetings of the Abertillery branch of the ILP, and the Socialist Labour Party Abertillery branch, in which Ness Edwards was present in 1918. Matters discussed include Rhondda Socialist Society and the Rhondda Plebs League, [Abertillery] unofficial reform league, the Workers’ Dreadnought edited by Sylvia Pankhurst, the miners’ council, anti-parliamentarianism, the Communist Party, and the People’s Russian Information Bureau.

William Hutchings

Henry Hutchings’ son William, known as Willie, was killed in a mining accident at the Vivian colliery, Abertillery in 1921. He was living next door to his brother John Henry Hutchings at 12 Clarence Street. He suffered a fractured skull through the accidental fall of material and was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport where he died. Unfortunately, the inquest report is no longer available. However, the South Wales Gazette and the South Wales Argus editions for November 1921 contain interesting references to both the accident and the funeral. They reveal that the Hutchings were very involved with the New Era Union in Abertillery, with links to the Independent Labour Party, the Socialist Labour Party and the Communist Party.

Headline from the South Wales Argus for November 15th 1921 on page 3.