Killan Colliery Accident - 100th anniversary

 Killay, a suburb of Swansea.  The village of Killay evolved due to the development of coal mining in South Wales coal industry.  Coal mining in the nearby village of Dunvant can be dated back to the 14th century.  The largest company operating in Killay was Killan Colliery Company, which established itself in 1899.  W.W. Holmes and Co. took over the colliery in 1902.  By the end of the First World War, the colliery one of the largest in the area had employed 755 men mostly from Killay and neighbouring Dunvant.

Killan Colliery Disaster Memorial

November 1924, the Killan Colliery was the site of a mining disaster.  A rush of water flooded the mine shaft, ripping out the roof supports and sweeping everything away in its path.  When the news was reached on the surface, rescuers were rushed to assist.  Two bodies were recovered instantly.  A further 11 men were still trapped in the mine.  The rescuers made a frantic attempt to reach the trapped miners. After 50 hours, 8 of those men 11 men trapped had been located and freed.  They had survived after breathing air from an air pocket. 

Without success, the other 3 men were still missing.  It was not until January 1925, that their bodies were finally recovered.

The men who lost their lives were

Wilfred John (17);

Willie Goulding (22);

Charles Evans (30);

Archie Davis (28);

Phil Godbeer (32)

Wilfred John (17)

Wilfred was either born between 1908 and 1910. He was the son of George and Margaret Ann John.

During the 1911 Census, the John family were recorded as living at Swansea Road, Waunarlwydd.

1911 Census

George, 48 is employed as a Coal Miner (hewer); Margaret Ann, is 46 years.

Their children are

Herbert, 22, who is employed as an Assistant Repairer (colliery); David, 20, who is employed as House Keeper At Colliery Under Ground; Mary, 18; Isaac, 14; who is employed as a Cleaner At Foundry (casting); Margaret Ann, 12; Esther Jane, 9; Elizabeth Ellen, 7 whom all attended school. Iorwerth, 4; Thomas, 3 and 1-year old Wilfred.

A decade later at the time of the 1921 Census, the family is still residing at Swansea Road.

1921 Census

George, 58, is employed at Ebba Steel Works Gowerton as a Labourer.  Margaret Ann is 55 years old.

Their children are

Isaac, 24 who is employed by Cape Colliery Company, Gowerton as a mine coal hewer; Esther Jane, 20; Elizabeth Ellen, 18; Iorwerth, 14; Thomas,13 and 12-year-old Philip Wilfred.  Thomas and Wilfred attend school.

The three older children have moved to their own homes of their own.

Herbert,32, is now living at Albion Cottage, Swansea Road.  His occupation is recorded as an Underground Pumpsman, but at the time of the census is unemployed.

His wife, is Elsie Lily, 34 and their two children are Margaret Elsie Elizabeth, 4, and 1-year-old Ronald James

Following the accident on the 24^th of November, Wilfred’s body was recovered on the 16^th of December.

The South Wales Daily Post

The South Wales Daily Post reports on the 16^th the finding of Wilfred’s body, and that he saved another boy’s life.

The South Wales Daily Post

As reported in The South Wales Daily Post on the 22^nd, Wilfred’s funeral had taken place the previous day, taken place at Zion Chapel.

Willie Goulding (22)

The only information regarding William is three newspaper reports.

The London Daily Chronicle published on the 29^th of November, that following the accident William’s body was recovered.

London Daily Chronicle

The Reynold’s Newspaper published on the 30^th, printed a photograph of William’s body returning home.  The caption on the photograph states that William was found alive but died before he could be extricated.

Reynold’s Newspaper

South Wales Daily Post

The South Wales Daily Post on the 1^st of December stated that Goulding had suffocated.

Charles Evans (30)

Charles was born in 1885 in Blackwood, Monmouthshire.

During the time of the 1911 Census, Charles Albert, 26, is residing at his brother’s home, Morlais House, Killay.

1911 Census

Charles’s occupation is recorded as Pumper Man, he is also a widowed.

His brother, Lewis, 41, is employed as a Coal Miner. His wife, Elizabeth, 12.  Their children are Lewis Brinley, 11; Beryl Elizabeth, 7, and 2-year-old Dilys Margrate.

During 1915 Charles marries the second time, to Hannah Richards.

During the 1921 Census, Charles, 36 and his family are residing at Bayview, Dunvant.

1921 Census

Charles is employed by the Killan Colliery Co., as a Coal Miner (Hewer).  His wife, Hannah, is 34, whilst their children are Elgar Richards, 5; Evan Glanville, 3 and 1-year-old David Howard.

The Herald of Wales

The Herald of Wales, on the 6^th of December, published an article regarding Charles’ funeral.

Archie Davies (28)

Born Thomas Archibald, 1897, was the son of Thomas and Mary Davies.

During the 1911 Census, the Davies family resided at Dandderwen, Dunvant.

1911 Census

Thomas, 40, is a Coal Miner Hewer, and his wife Mary is 42 years.

Their children are

William John, 18, who is a School Student; Thomas Archibald, 14; and David Howell, 11 who both attend school.  Annie Mary, 9; Margaret Violet, 5; Gladys Maud, 5 and 10-month-old Hubert Walter.

Philip Godbeer (32)

Philip was born in 1893, in Bishopston. He was the son of Charles and Elizabeth Godbeer.

Charles Godbeer and Elizabeth Ball were married in 1880, in Gower.

During the 1901 Census, the Godbeer family was residing at Blackhills, Killay.

1901 Census

Charles, 41, was a Coal Hewer Miner.  Elizabeth was 43.

Their children were

Catherine, 20; Charles, 18, who was also employed as a Coal Hewer Miner.  Elizabeth A., 15; Amanda, 13; Minnie, 10; Philip, 8; Mary, 7; Jessie, 4 and 2-year-old Hida.

A decade later, at the time of the 1911 Census, the family was still residing at the Blakchill, Killay.

1911 Census

Charles, 51 is employed as Collier (hewer); Elizabeth is 54.

Their children are

Catherine, 30; Elizabeth A. Hoppe, 25.  Elizabeth married Frederick William Hoppe, in 1910. Philip, 18, who is employed as a Collier (hewer); Mary, 17; Jessie, 14; Hilda, 13, and 6-year-old Emily.

In 1914, Philip married Daisy Pearce.

By the time of the 1921 Census, they are living at 1 Clyne View, Killay,

1921 Census

Philip is 27.  His occupation is recorded as Coal Miner Repairer unemployed, even though previously employed by Kilan Collery Co., Daisy, is also 27.

Their children are

Dorotha Ada, 6; Walter John, 5; Hilda, 2 and 3-month-old Arthur Eden.

Also present at the address are two boarders, Walter Jones, 29, and his wife Emily, 30.

Philip’s body was one of the last to be recovered in the New Year of 1925.