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