MineArchiveCwmgors Colliery explosion, 1942
Early on Sunday 25 January 1942 a small explosion of firedamp in a heading at Cwmgors Colliery, Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, killed the collier D. J. Edwards and the night fireman Daniel Evans, who was visiting the place. Edwards's partner, Thomas Williams, walked out with shock.
| Date | 25 January 1942 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Cwmgorse Colliery |
| Region | Neath Port Talbot |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 2 (D. J. Edwards, 49 (D. Edwards, repairer, in the NMRS record), collier, who left a widow; and Daniel B. Evans, 41, night fireman, who left a widow and two children.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A localised explosion of firedamp in a heading.
What happened
Edwards was working in a heading with Thomas Williams of Gorsstreet, Cwmgorse, and the night fireman, Daniel Evans, had come to visit them when the gas fired. Williams escaped the worst of the blast and was able to walk out of the mine.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On Sunday 25 January 1942 a localised explosion of gas at Cwmgors Colliery killed D. J. Edwards and the night fireman Daniel Evans. 1
- The two men were killed in an explosion of firedamp on a Sunday morning. 2,3
- Edwards's working partner, Thomas Williams, escaped the worst of the blast and walked out of the mine suffering only from shock. 1
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…January 1942 a small explosion of firedamp in a heading at Cwmgors Colliery, Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, killed the collier D. J. Edwards and the night…” - Firedamp (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Early on Sunday 25 January 1942 a small explosion of firedamp in a heading at Cwmgors Colliery, Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, killed the…” - Fireman (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, killed the collier D. J. Edwards and the night fireman Daniel Evans, who was visiting the place. Edwards's partner, Thomas…”
Sources
- (secondary) Welsh Coal Mines: Fatalities 1942 — welshcoalmines.co.uk
- (secondary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: D. Edwards, Cwmgorse, 1942 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (secondary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Daniel B. Evans, Cwmgorse, 1942 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 25 October 2026 · Last researched: 25 October 2026