MineArchiveBedlinog Colliery roof fall, 1916
Two Dowlais repairers were buried under about 30 tons of roof while strengthening timber on a double parting in Bedlinog's No. 1 pit on 17 March 1916.
| Date | 17 March 1916 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Bedlinog Colliery |
| Region | Merthyr Tydfil |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: Philip Powell and David Price.) |
| Injuries | Two men slightly injured. |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A heavy fall of roof, about 30 tons, at a double parting being retimbered.
What happened
On the morning of Friday 17 March 1916 Philip Powell, a repairer of 57, and his assistant David Price, 48, both of Dowlais, were doubling the timber on a double parting known as Thomas Davies' Parting, on the east side of Bedlinog's No. 1 pit, to strengthen it before work began further in. They had set three posts under the collars and were preparing more timber between them when about 30 tons of roof fell without the slightest warning and buried them both. Two other men were slightly hurt, and it took several hours to recover the bodies. The colliery then belonged to Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, and the inquest jury returned accidental death.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 17 March 1916 the repairer Philip Powell, 57, and his assistant David Price, 48, were killed by a fall of roof in the No. 1 pit of Bedlinog Colliery. 1,2
- They were doubling the timber on a double parting to strengthen it before starting work further in when about 30 tons of roof fell without warning. 1,2
- Two other men were slightly injured. 2
- The colliery belonged to Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds Limited. 2
- The inquest jury returned accidental death. 2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…slightly hurt, and it took several hours to recover the bodies. The colliery then belonged to Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, and the inquest jury…” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “A heavy fall of roof, about 30 tons, at a double parting being retimbered.”
Sources
- (secondary) 1916 fatalities — Welsh Coal Mines
- (primary) Serious Bedlinog fall: two men killed in No. 1 pit (Pioneer, 18 March 1916) — Welsh Newspapers (National Library of Wales)
Record created: 9 October 2026 · Last researched: 9 October 2026