The Glen Afton Mine Disaster 1939
A fire in the mine on Saturday 23rd
September 1939 was believed to have been extinguished. On Sunday morning when
the manager, Christopher Blackburn, and his team went to investigate the
situation they were all asphyxiated. Overnight the fire had revived. As was the
usual practice at Glen Afton, the ventilation fan had been switched off over
the weekend and as a result toxic gas had accumulated. 11 men lost their lives.
This year is the 75th anniversary of the Disaster.
Those who died:
William Bell Electrician
Christopher Blackburn Mine Manager
William Brown Miner
James Clark Miner
Walter Cole Deputy
George Hunter Miner
Richard Ireland Miner
John Marshall Miner
William Peden Miner
Raymond Turley Electrician
William Wilcox Deputy
This year is the 75th anniversary of the Disaster.
Those who died:
William Bell Electrician
Christopher Blackburn Mine Manager
William Brown Miner
James Clark Miner
Walter Cole Deputy
George Hunter Miner
Richard Ireland Miner
John Marshall Miner
William Peden Miner
Raymond Turley Electrician
William Wilcox Deputy