9. Industrial Accidents

Along this path, keep an eye out for the gravestones on the left. St. Peter’s Church is the final resting place of hundreds of people who lost their lives in accidents in Blaenavon’s industries. Can you spot the graves of people who were killed in industrial accidents? Look for the gravestone of George Williams, who was killed at Big Pit in 1908.

George Williams

On 11 December 1908, George Williams, aged 55 years, had just completed a night shift. He was about to return to the surface when two miners, John Jones (21) and Nathaniel Brankley (34) entered the mine to begin their daily toil, apparently carrying naked lights. There was an accumulation of gas, which was ignited by the flame, causing the explosion. All three men were killed. Four days later, amid torrential rain, the coalminers were laid to rest. Their fellow workers, flocked to the graveside in great numbers to pay their last respects.

The death of a main wage-earner, in addition to the great emotional loss, could also have a devastating effect on a family’s income. Take time to look around at the graves of some of the others killed in accidents. Every gravestone tells a personal story of tragedy and loss.