Bernard,
This explosion is a well known fact in North Staffordshire,
Next time I am in Hanley Archives I will look some document
references for you,
Bob Burden.
North Staffordshire Coal Field Group
>-- Original Message --
>Date: Wed, 7 May 2003 08:21:31 EDT
>Reply-To: "The mining-history list." <[log in to unmask]>
>From: Bernard Moore <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Fauld Gypsum Mines - Midlands
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>Dear All,
>
>During WW2 a part of the above mines was used as a large ammunition dump.
>A
>very large explosion took place in approx. 1943/44 that destroyed 3 farms
>at
>least, a church, and caused much other devastation over a very large area.
>
>The mine workings today are a few miles away from the old area, but it
is
>believed that munitions may still remain in those parts of the workings
that
>were not affected by the main blast. Indeed the workings that survived
the
>blast were sealed, and no-one has ventured into them since.
>
>The loss of life was apparently 'significant', but being wartime the whole
>event was hushed up (a big bang is quite difficult to keep quiet really
isn't
>it!). There were apparently a large number of Italian POW's in the area
at
>the time, and sabotage was suspected, though a mishap is thought to have
>been
>the real cause. I am told that the numbers killed in the event was never
>ascertained.
>
>I had not heard of this event before today, and was told about it from
>someone who lives in the area (and their descendants before), so there
must
>be some accuracy in it. Has anyone else heard of all this?
>
>Regards, Bernard
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