moorfield pit disaster
 

Does anyone know of a list of people who died in this disaster in 1883-apart from a book-maybe online???
thanks

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I believe there is a scroll listing the dead at Clayton Library.

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there used to be a list on the wall in the geryhound pub .not sure if its still there.good luck

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Examined that scroll two years ago, for some people who were thinking of erecting a proper memorial, the scroll was badly faded.
I think they have had a proper memorial made since. My daughter was invoved in it some time ago, she's on holiday at present so can't aske her.
Retlaw

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There is now an actual memorial stones and small gardens at the site of the Moorfield colliery on Burnley Rd just up from the traffic lights at Clayton, before you come to the bridge over the canal

Its quite poignant to read the names of them all, including generations within the same family, probably Father, son & grandson, some only 12/13 years old

If you ain't local, I walk around that area quite often and could easily photograph it and if you pm me wirh an email address I'll send em to you and/or if theres enough interest I'll try and upload them onto here

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Willow, I wouldn't mind a quick look at that. We had miners in the family in the 1800s right up until the 1960s so it would be interesting to see if any of the family where involved. :)

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Ok will do !! Dependant on weather maybe this weekend

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I published Harry Tootle's book. A copy will cost £6. You will have it for ever, and there's nothing else to learn about it. No list of names will tell you the story.Harry Tootle did a good job over telling the story.

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Maybe off the subject ..but I was never told (Hollins from 1969 to 72) about any pit disaster..or the Accy Pals.. they just churned out the Hitler and Stalin stuff.. I was embarrassed when a cockney told me the history of the Accy Pals!

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I was never taught about Hitler or Stalin either, it was all about the old kings Henry and his wives ect, the crusades, Lizz 1 and good old Herold, but no Adolf or Joe

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Heres the pics of the Memorial

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THanks for posting these pictures - I am indebted to you. My Great Grandfather and Great Uncle died in the disaster (aged 37 and 12). I only found this out yesterday. I am 57.
Richard

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Atarah ; Thanks for your messages - sorry I could not respond - I got a message that the board did not recognise the membership.
No matter. Sorry I should have added to the above posting that the names of my Great Grandfather and Great Uncle were James (37) and Richard Osbaldeston (12). James had a daughter, Mary who was born shortly after his death in 1883 and she was my grandmother. Mary Osbaldeston married Herbert Lightfoot and had two daughters, Kathleen (my mother) and Doris. My mother left the area in 1941 to marry my father (an Aberdonian). My grandparents moved to Blackpool in the 40's and opened a B&B at 35 Shaw Road. If there any Lightfoots or Osbaldeston's out there who might be connected, I am delighted to hear from you - I have quite an extensive family tree on Family Tree, Genealogy and Census Records - Ancestry.co.uk

Best wishes
Richard

PS Do you know if H Tootle's book is still available ?

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I see that Mr Tottle's book is available online from WH Smith and I have ordered it

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Hi, Mr Edinburghkiltie, just looking at an old newspaper which mentions your poor ancestors. It states JAMES OSBALDESTON, Well Street, Clayton le Moors: he left a widow and three children, one injured in the explosion. I think the miners who worked there referred to the pit as "Dicky Brig". How very sad, just like the Accrington Pals, it must have affected many families around the Clayton/Accrington area. Your James was buried in our Accrington Cemetery. If you like could always try and find his grave if you dont know its whereabouts.

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I am kicking myself that I have supplied a copy of Harry Tootle's book to WH Smith. They do not stock publications from small publishers like me, but are content to order for customers. I won't be supplying any more to bookshops. I have a few left (£6 post free, cheque with order) It is better for me to deal direct with the customer - and quicker for the customer. I repeat what I said earlier - this is a superb book.

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Hi Mr "Kiltie" - have just found this amongst my files. On it is your relative Richard, as well as James. Maybe young Richard didnt die straight away (he didnt seem to be in the newspaper I was reading) but died soon after of his injuries? Here is the list anyway ....

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Atarah - do you know where this image comes from by any chance ? It is fascinating - Both Richard and James are listed.It also shows James as aged 33 where elsewhere he is listed as 37 interesting.
I shall attempt to attach a picture of James which I found last weekend.

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Hi - I'd love to know where the grave is but I read somewhere that it was an unmarked grave - but this may be a mistake.


I also now attach a picture of my great grand mother Sarah who dies in 1911. Within 2 years of 1881 Sarah lost a daughter Martha aged 1 and then James her husband and son Richard (who I was named after)

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I would endorse that statement - it is an exceptional publication to those who have an interest in this event. I sent to my mother (91) in Aberdeen the granddaughter of James who died in the disaster and it has provided her with such interest and excitement to learn of an incident that was never spoken about by her mother (too painful I guess).
warmest regards
Richard

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I find it "odd" (and sad) that this poor ancestor of yours COULD be in an unmarked grave. I will have a "delve" for you and if find anything, let you know.

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Hi Bob, I have only just come across this site and wonder if you have any copies of Harry's book left, I live in Preston and my great granddad, Henry Walter Coles, was killed in the accident. I can let you have a cheque as soon as if you let me know your address. Many thanks.

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I have responded off-site to Colesy.

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There is still a listing of the Men and Boys that died in the disaster in The Greyhound pub. It is a framed listing, a bit liked the one posted on here, located next to the ladies loo entrance.
I have done a bit of research on this as Thomas Hamriding was one of my ancestors and was also killed leaving behind a young family. Seeing as I live very near to the site and the mentioned pub, I did some reading. It is a very sad story as fathers and sons perished together and the bodies were taken down to The Greyhound in the aftermath. The landlord at the time was the son of the pit manager who died in the disaster. He too comes to a sad end as a few years after the incident he hung himself in the bar. I can't quite remember right now where I found that story but I believe it was published in The Accrington Observer. I am sure I probably found it online and when I find it again I will upload the link.
Bob, do you have any copies of the mentioned book left? I would dearly love to own one and will forward a cheque and my address asap. Thanks

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thanks for all those replies. Was kind of hoping to find a john macintosh on there, grandfather of james and father of thomas. Ive lost him , cant find his birth, or death. He disapeared after 1838 when he married mary walsh , his second marriage , and had daughter isabella . Thomas was his son from the marriage between him and isabella readfearn/redfearn/redfern in 1821. Thanks for all your help anyway. There is no sign of him on any census but mary seems to still say she is married on the census 1841 and 1851 until her death in 1858. Very frustrating.

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The men you mention becibird are my ancestors, via john macintosh. He is a mystery man and have not been able to fin d any sign of his death or burial. If anyone out there can succeed where i have failed it will be a miracle and i would be so happy. Been trying for years to find out where he went. Such a sad story about james , his grandson, committing suicide on the tenth anniversary of the disaster.

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Did you say you were connected to the james macintosh, the undermanager, or is it another james you are referring to??

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sorry, i did not finish reading all the threads. I was getting confused with my macintosh's . Apologies. Hope you managed to find the grave eventually.

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The author of the book on the disaster, Harold (Harry) Tootle, died recently after many years of ill health. An ex-miner from Huncoat, he was passionately interested in mining history. He was also a very sensitive writer of short stories, one of which I published in a magazine. His book will long be a monument to him.

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Former Local Councillor as well Bob. As you rightly say Harold's book on the disaster will be a monument to him.

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think i should buy it, maybe ill find it on amazon. I work in libraries, wonder if the library got a copy?

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A Harry & James Hamriding, both from Clayton served in WW1.
Retlaw

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Do you have any copies left now of harry's book bob???? just mentioned it to jack nadin. He said to ask you .

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Two copies left. I will PM you.

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Shirleya, Isabella Redfearn is on my wifes family tree with John MacIntosh. I will take a look and get back to you.

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Re message No 40: I have found a few more .Send me a PM.

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they just have a few press cuttings in a frame.... ( not much really) just read a book on this... very sad:

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Shirleya did you get my private message?

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Me Too,
Hello Bob, I would very much like to read this book, I live in Clayton by the canal about 500 yards from the Pit Head, if you would please send me a e-mail to Brian at Britch dot Net with your address or a contact number I will call around when convenient to you and buy a copy (assuming you are local)

kind regards, Brian Britch

oops, just seen your location, I will post you a cheque, cheers

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Send Bob a P.M. mate, he may not see this fer awhile.;)

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Cheers Cash,
Bob is on the ball and has gotten back to me :-)

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Hello Shirleya I spotted one of your earlier posts re John Macintosh.I've found out that he is my great great great grandfather…via his son Thomas, then James, then his son Robert my grandfather.
John married twice,, his second wife is known to us as Mary Hardgreaves and together had a daughter Isabella.Isabella married James law and had at least three children mary james and john.
I have no info on John before his first marriage to Isabella Redfern.We have him born c1780. Please get in touch if you think I might have info of interest to you.

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Last year Hyndburn Borough Council held a commemoration of the Moorfield Pit Disaster by the memorial at Pilkington canal bridge on Workers' Memorial Day, Saturday 28th April. Don't know if same is planned for this year.

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My Great Grandfather on my Dad's mothers side was John Walton who survived the Moorfield Disaster and is mentioned in Tootle's book - he died in in Whittingham Asylum in 1902

He had two children Elizabeth and Nancy, Elizabeth my Grandmother was born on 20 November 1883 not quite 2 weeks after the Disaster and Nancy born September 1884

Elizabeth aged 16 married my Grandfather Thomas Charles Crossley in Dec 1899 at St Johns Gannow Burnley - TC as he was known was from a family of carters and coal merchants that had a shed by the Leeds & Lverpool Canal on Gannow Lane, Burnley

My father Kenneth was their youngest child born in May 1921 who left the area after War Service in the RAF - I am the only Grandchild born October 1947 in YORKSHIRE,

The disaster was always a distant part of our family history primarily due to the effects it had on my grandmother and her sister who were often on relief and brought up by their grandmother Nancy Stringer (nee Dearden)

Have done some research on my family tree especially the Crossley's and have often wondered if we are directly related to the Disasters youngest victim, however to date haven't found a link

Any help would be appreciated

Colin M Crossley

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The family who owned the Accrington Observer around this time were Crossleys. but I think it unlikely they are linked. I suggest you join the Lancashire Family History Society, even if for one year only. See their website. It is likely that the Observer would have addresses of the deceased and injured.

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Thank you so much for posting these photos.

My ancestor Robert Gorton was killed in this disaster, but his name isn’t recorded on the NMRS database, so your photo of his name on the memorial proves it. I’d already sent them the church burial records showing that he was buried on the same day as five of his workmates.

The 1861 Census shows that he was a coal miner at the age of nine. What a miserable life, and death.

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I have only just spotted this post Bob, is the book still available? if yes please let me know along with the price and postage.
Thank you, Regards, Taddy the Lancashire Luddite.

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I think I have a few. I need to search for them. I wil get back to you soon.

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Thanks Bob.

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1 copy £7.50p 2 for £14 inc postage. Message me your address Taddy Pay by cheque or bank transfer or Paypal. I don't know when next I'll be over in Acc to deliver, so need to post.

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PM, sent Bob, message me if it does not arrive, as you know I am still a Luuddite with this electronical messaging thingy.

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I've messaged you Taddy. Post included in the price.

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PM for you Bob, Order on the way; Taddy

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Book arrived, thanks Bob, Regards Mick.

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I have just finished reading Harry Tootles book "The Moorfield Pit Disaster",I knew Harry for many years when he lived in Huncoat and to be honest I did not think that he was a "Man of Letters", until I heard of and read the book.
For any one interested in local history in general and Mining history in Particular the book is a must read.
The appalling conditions suffered by the men and boy's at the time, some of them as young as 10 year's old,has to be read to be believed.
I come from a mining family and when I was sixteen years old I was taken on as a trainee at "Bank Hall Colliery" in Burnley, This was one of the most modern, up to date mines in the country at the time; I started the job on Monday morning, went underground Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and packed the job in on Thursday.
The youngsters at Moorfield must have been terrified.
Thank you Bob, I will let my Grandchildren read,Mark, Learn and Inwardly digest it.
Regards, Taddy, The Lancahire, (now much wiser Luddite).

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Sorry, just noticed that I left out the (S) in Lancashire.

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they can't hang you for it Taddy!

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I had known Harry for several years when he asked me to publish his book. He was a pleasure to work with. He had poor health , which I think was a result of working down the pit, but he had a tremendous love for the work and the history of it. He was no great age when he died. Likewise for Huncoat.