MineArchiveDare Colliery roof fall, 1942
In February 1942 a fall of about eight tons of roof, partly one huge stone, came down on men straightening the conveyor in the Brunts district of Dare Colliery, Cwmparc, on the day shift. Four colliers were killed outright and others were injured.
| Date | 19 or 26 February 1942 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Dare Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 4 (Charles Tuckett, 37, collier, married; Albert Holmes, 24, collier, married; John Wynne, 41, collier, married; John Phillips, 21, collier, single.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A fall of roof of about eight tons, partly a single huge stone, in the Brunts district while the conveyor was being straightened.
What happened
The men were moving the conveyor straight in the Brunts district when the roof fell. Charles Tuckett, Albert Holmes, John Wynne and John Phillips must have been killed instantly. Two of the injured, Walter Watts, 34, and Michael Clements, 28, were taken to Pentwyn Hospital, and two others were able to walk home.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
- The fall happened on 19 February 1942. (disputed) 1
- The fall happened on 26 February 1942. (disputed) 2
- The men were straightening the conveyor in the Brunts district on the day shift when a fall of about eight tons, partly one huge stone, came down. (uncertain) 1
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Charles Tuckett, Albert Holmes, John Wynne and John Phillips were killed under a huge fall of roof at Dare Colliery, Cwmparc, which also seriously injured other miners. 1,2
- The fall happened on 19 February 1942. (disputed) 1
- The fall happened on 26 February 1942. (disputed) 2
- The men were straightening the conveyor in the Brunts district on the day shift when a fall of about eight tons, partly one huge stone, came down. (uncertain) 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: “…on men straightening the conveyor in the Brunts district of Dare Colliery, Cwmparc, on the day shift. Four colliers were killed outright and…” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “A fall of roof of about eight tons, partly a single huge stone, in the Brunts…”
Sources
- (secondary) Welsh Coal Mines: Fatalities 1942 — welshcoalmines.co.uk
- (secondary) Dare Colliery — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 20 October 2026 · Last researched: 20 October 2026