Markham Mining Memorial - August 2020 Installation

Walking Together Markham Vale Mining Memorial Heritage Trail

Summer 2020

Bown, Charles : 27 : Contractor

1938 disaster

At the time of the disaster Charles was living with his Father at Romiley Cottages, Barlborough where he was born.

He was buried at Barlborough with ten of his colleagues.

Briggs, George Clarence : 52 : Deputy

1973 disaster

George had spent all his working life at Markham and had been a Deputy for about 6 years.

George enjoyed playing snooker and golf.

He left his widow Sheila and daughter, Pat.

Brocklehurst, Joseph William : 58 : Deputy

1973 disaster

Joseph had worked at Markham Colliery for 18 years. He had been a Deputy for ten of those years. He was a member of the Markham Colliery division of the St John Ambulance Brigade.

Joseph left his widow, four daughters and one son.

Brooks, Clifford : 58 : Deputy 1973 disaster

Clifford had been a miner for years but had only

worked at Markham Colliery for 3 months. He

had previously been a Deputy at Oxcroft

Colliery for 19 years.

Clifford left his widow, and was cremated at

Brimington.

Buckley, George Cyril Foulds : 40 : Contractor 1938 disaster George had worked in the pit since he was 14 years old, and had been at Markham for about 14 years. He served in the Great War with the Lincolnshire Regiment.

George left his widow and four daughters.

Commons, John William Watson : 33 : contractor 1938 disaster

John had worked at Markham for about 15 years.

He was buried at Staveley and was one of the 12

men buried side by side.

He left his widow, Bertha and two daughters.

Eyre, George : 60 : Gearhead Attendant 1973 disaster

George had been a miner for 46 years. He came to

work at Markham when he was made redundant at Williamthorpe Colliery.

George left his widow, Gladys, three sons and four daughters.

Hardy, Joe : 37 : Contractor 1938 disaster

George had been a miner for 46 years. He

came to work at Markham when he was made

redundant at Williamthorpe Colliery.

George left his widow, Gladys, three sons and

four daughters.

Hill, Clarence : 29 : Belt-hand 1938 disaster

Clarence had worked at Markham since he was 13 years old.

He was buried at Boythorpe. He left his widow, Louvain, and baby daughter Doreen.

Hudson, Harry : 26 : Gate-end

1938 disaster

Harry (Henry) had worked at Markham for about 12 years and had been on the night shift for 8 of those years.

Harry was a member of Brimington Common Sports Cricket Team.

He was buried at Brimington.

Jackson, George Henry : 43 : Contractor

1938 disaster

George had been a miner since leaving school and had worked at Clowne and Whitwell pits before transferring to Markham about 1 year before the disaster.

He left his widow and his 17-year-old son.

Kilroy, Michael : 53 : Development Worker 1973 disaster

Michael had only worked at Markham for 3

months having transferred from Oxcroft Colliery.

He was a Coal face and Development Worker.

He left his widow, Caroline, son Michael and daughter, Margaret.

Reddish, Fred : 53 : Development Worker

1973 disaster

Fred had been a miner since he was 14 years old. He was a was well respected and well liked Committee member of Staveley Miners Welfare Club.

He left a son and three daughters.

He was cremated at Brimington.

Wallace, Benjamin : 29 : Road Layer

1938 disaster

Benjamin worked in the pit as a Road Layer.

He was buried at Staveley and is one of the 12 men who were buried side by side. Benjamin was 29 years old and left a widow and one child.

.

Whelpton, William Edward : 32 : Rope Greaser 1938 disaster

William lived at 48, Hill Top Road, Old

Whittington, and worked at Markham Colliery as a Rope Greaser.

After a service in Newbold Parish Church he was buried in the churchyard there.

He was 32 years old and left his widow.

Photos of the new figures installed along the footpath.

‘Walking Together’ Markham Vale Mining Memorial Heritage Trail designed by artist Stephen Broadbent.

When completed the Walking Together trail will commemorate the 106 miners who were tragically killed in the three major disasters, which occurred at Markham in 1937, 1938 and 1973.

The latest installation of 15 commemorative figures has been generously supported by Viridor Credits Environmental Company through the Landfill Communities.

This cluster of figures commemorates 9 men killed in the Markham Colliery disaster on 10th May 1938 and 6 men killed in the disaster on 30th July 1973.

To date we have been able to commemorate 77 miners and we will continue to fundraise for all 106.

We would like to thank all the volunteers from the Markham Vale Heritage Group for their continued support in helping to realise this ambitious memorial. www.markhamstorymine.org