Further to my post in April on underground epitaphs to colliers:- The memorial underground at Baddesley Colliery, Warwickshire, will, I think, be unique (unless someone knows differently). It arose following a fire and subsequent explosion in May, 1882. The background is that problems with water were experienced in the Deep Workings at the bottom of the Stratford Inclines. The consulting Mining Engineer had suggested a steam pump and boiler be installed there. The vertical boiler was constructed within the Thick Coal seam, its flue played directly on the coal, the intention was to build a protective brick arch but this was never done. Inevitably the coal ignited and a boy with a hose was stationed there to extinguish the coal. Then he was removed. Late on 1st May the coal caught fire and it was soon out of hand. Inbye eight men and a boy were trapped by smoke and fumes. The alarm was raised and the underground official tried unsuccessfully to reach them. Meanwhile John Parker, the manager, raised a large rescue party. He was joined by the colliery owner, William Stratford Dugdale who lived nearby at Merevale Hall. Dugdale admitted that he knew nothing about mining, but thought that his presence might inspire his men. The rescue party had reached the top of the Stratford Inclines when, about 8 o'clock in the morning of the 2nd, a tremendous explosion occurred. Every one of the rescue party was seriously or mortally injured, 23 were to eventually die. Subsequent heroic rescue attempts were mounted, now to reach the original rescuers. A consequence was the remarkable number of Albert Medals which were eventually awarded; 10 in total.
At the top of theStratford Inclines, in the side of the roadway, was fixed a gravestone engraved with the initials WSD, marking the spot where Dugdale fell when the explosion occurred. The interesting point is that he didn't actually die there. He was rescued by a party lead by Arthur Stokes, the Assistant Mines Inspector, who was to lead a total of three rescue attempts. Dugdale was removed back to Merevale Hall where he subsequently expired.
Baddesley Colliery closed in 1984, no doubt the memorial to William Stratford Dugdale still marks the spot where he and the other gallant rescuers were engulfed by the fireball. Does anyone know of anything similar?
Barry Job.
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