Barnsley Pit - EDIT Anyone recognise a relative ?

[woolley]

Not too sure if a group photo taken late 1940's should be on this board, someone may recognise a relative

woolley

[woolley]

Just realised No photo

[maidmarion]

Hi Woolley,
Any idea of which colliery in Barnsley?

maidmarion

[Redroger]

There was a Barnsley Main Colliery, but it must be clearly stated if known which it was as there were many within Barnsley and the surrounding area.

[woolley]

It was Barnsley Main Colliery. Used to be Oaks Colliery many years ago

[Redroger]

There is a memorial by the side of Doncaster Road Barnsley to the (I think) 567 men and boys killed by an explosion at Oaks Colliery in 1867. Happier days in the photo. Perhaps it coincides with the Nationalization of the pits?

[woolley]

Could well have been taken then.

Re the explosion I understand that not many were recovered, although I think a develoment tunnel broke into the old disaster area workings in the 60's, but was closed off again (I think). No doubt someone out there will know

woolley

[Redroger]

My recollection from reading the memorial (while stuck in traffic on the top deck of a bus!) is that several of the dead were never recovered. Rather macabrely it was subsequently proved, possibly by that 60's breakthrough but I believe closer to the time of the disaster, that several of those killed had still been alive when rescue work was abandoned. I believe dates had been carved on wooden materials by those who were about to die, the dates being after the rescue had been abandoned.Googling Oaks Colliery disaster brings 4.5million entries, 10th worst disaster in British Mining History, 361 killed 12th December 1866.

[Tisy]

Whilst on the subject of mining disasters in and around Barnsley, does anyone know anything about a disaster at the Mount Osborn Colliery in 1857?

Regards,

Tisy