This site uses cookies. By using it, you agree to their use. To find out more, read our Privacy Policy.
Accept
Wrexham Council News
  • Biz & education
  • Council services
  • People & place
  • Events
  • Video
  • Other
  • Welsh
Reading: Our greatest tragedy…Wrexham remembers Gresford Colliery disaster
Share
Notification Show More
Latest News
aging couple
Aging Well – find out more on June 26
People & place Council services Events
Lucy Cowley
Welsh learner of the year finalists announced
Biz & education Events People & place
CROWN AND CHAIR PRESENTED TO WRECSAM EISTEDDFOD COMMITTEE
CROWN AND CHAIR PRESENTED TO WRECSAM EISTEDDFOD COMMITTEE
Events People & place
Ongoing heritage regeneration supports key buildings within Wrexham Conservation Area
Ongoing heritage regeneration supports key buildings within Wrexham Conservation Area
Council services People & place
Gwersyllt Community Resource Centre
Gwersyllt Community Resource Centre – two-week closure
Council services People & place
Wrexham Council News
Search
  • Biz & education
  • Council services
  • People & place
  • Events
  • Video
  • Other
  • Welsh
Follow US
© 2023 Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Wrecsam
Wrexham Council News > Blog > Other > Our greatest tragedy…Wrexham remembers Gresford Colliery disaster
OtherPeople & place

Our greatest tragedy…Wrexham remembers Gresford Colliery disaster

Last updated: 2019/09/17 at 11:40 AM
Share
4 Min Read
Gresford Memorial Disaster
SHARE

At 11am on Sunday, September 22, the annual memorial ceremony for Wrexham’s greatest tragedy, Gresford Colliery disaster, takes place at Miner’s Wheel Memorial in Pandy.

Content
Picture the scene…‘Just like hell’The aftermathRemembering, 85 years on…

The disaster affected the whole of Wrexham with almost every village in the county borough losing someone.

Picture the scene…

It’s a Friday evening on September 21, 1934. 266 men are descending into the Dennis section of the Gresford Colliery to begin their shift. It’s particularly busy as many of them are ‘doubling up’ so they’ll be free to watch the Wrexham match on Saturday afternoon. Sadly, only six of them shall return.

At 2:08am Saturday morning (September 22), an explosion tore through the colliery, killing countless miners in the process.

- Info -
Eisteddfod Wrecsam 2025

Edward Williams, Engine Attendant at the Dennis recalled: “It came nearer like thunder and then the place was all black. You couldn’t see anything.”

STAY UP TO DATE – SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR TOP STORIES.

‘Just like hell’

Over 200 rescue workers were sent down in an effort to rescue the miners. All they recovered were 11 bodies – three of them belonging to the first rescue team. One of the rescuers described that mine as being ‘just like hell’.

Once news reached town, crowds began to gather around the mine – women and children waiting for loved ones who will never return.

After 40 hours of toiling it became clear to the rescuers there was nobody alive left to save, so they decided to close the shafts at 6pm Sunday afternoon.

The aftermath

The Gresford Colliery disaster was one of Wrexham’s greatest tragedies…but what’s often overlooked is the aftermath of the disaster and the effect it had on the victims’ families and fellow workers. The explosion left 200 widowed, 800 fatherless and 1,600 jobless.

This was in a time where women weren’t provided with the same opportunities as men. Losing a husband left more than a grieving widow…it left a widow with the responsibility of providing for herself and her children without a source of income.

The rest of the men employed at the mine were forced to look for other jobs – often to no avail. The future seemed bleak for Wrexham; survival alone would become a struggle for many. It would be six months until the mine re-opened.

The tragedy became national headline news and even received recognition from the King. Word travelled about the struggling families and a relief fund was established to aid those in need. More than £550,000 was raised in total, however the lives lost could never be replaced.

Remembering, 85 years on…

This year marks 85 years since the 266 men and boys lost their lives.

The annual memorial service to mark the Gresford Colliery disaster takes place on Sunday, September 22 at 11am at the Miner’s Wheel Memorial, Bluebell Lane, Pandy. This is a short informal service, which everyone is welcome to attend.

Also, if you would like to find out more about this tragic event, it’s worth paying a visit to Wrexham Museum.

Wrexham will always remember…

Get the latest news and info straight into your inbox.

SIGN ME UP NOW

Share
Previous Article Fire doors save lives Fire doors save lives
Next Article Nottingham Knockers Fraud Cold Call Scam Reports of Nottingham knockers in the Wrexham area – Trading Standards

Stay connected

17k Followers Like
24.1k Followers Follow
3.3k Followers Follow
- Sign up -
Ad image

Latest news

aging couple
Aging Well – find out more on June 26
People & place Council services Events June 20, 2025
Lucy Cowley
Welsh learner of the year finalists announced
Biz & education Events People & place June 20, 2025
CROWN AND CHAIR PRESENTED TO WRECSAM EISTEDDFOD COMMITTEE
CROWN AND CHAIR PRESENTED TO WRECSAM EISTEDDFOD COMMITTEE
Events People & place June 18, 2025
Ongoing heritage regeneration supports key buildings within Wrexham Conservation Area
Ongoing heritage regeneration supports key buildings within Wrexham Conservation Area
Council services People & place June 17, 2025

You might also like

aging couple
People & placeCouncil servicesEvents

Aging Well – find out more on June 26

June 20, 2025
Lucy Cowley
Biz & educationEventsPeople & place

Welsh learner of the year finalists announced

June 20, 2025
CROWN AND CHAIR PRESENTED TO WRECSAM EISTEDDFOD COMMITTEE
EventsPeople & place

CROWN AND CHAIR PRESENTED TO WRECSAM EISTEDDFOD COMMITTEE

June 18, 2025
Ongoing heritage regeneration supports key buildings within Wrexham Conservation Area
Council servicesPeople & place

Ongoing heritage regeneration supports key buildings within Wrexham Conservation Area

June 17, 2025
Wrexham County Borough Council
//

Wrexham Council News provides all the latest news from your county borough council.

Quick links

  • Customise interests
  • Reading list
  • MyUpdates
  • Contact the council
  • Privacy policy

Get our top stories…

Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest news and info from Wrexham Council.

Sign up
Wrexham Council News
Follow US

© 2025 Wrexham County Borough Council

Removed from reading list

Undo
Wrexham Council News
Welcome back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?
  • Cymraeg
  • English