MineArchiveDipton Colliery roof fall, 1911
Two hewers, John William Greener and William Walker, were killed together by a fall of coal and band at Dipton Colliery, County Durham, on 4 December 1911.
| Date | 4 December 1911 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Dipton Colliery |
| Region | County Durham |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: John William Greener and William Walker.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A fall of coal and band from the side of the working.
What happened
On Monday 4 December 1911 a fall of coal and band at Dipton Colliery, John Bowes and Partners' pit in north-west Durham, killed two hewers: John William Greener, 44, and William Walker, 32. The accident was classed as a fall of side, coal and stone coming away from the face or the side of the working rather than the roof. Both men were buried in the churchyard of St John the Evangelist at Dipton.
Memorials & commemoration
Both men lie in St John the Evangelist churchyard, Dipton.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 4 December 1911 the hewers John William Greener, 44, and William Walker, 32, were killed together by a fall of coal and band at Dipton Colliery. 1,2
- The accident was recorded as a fall of side. 1
- Both men were buried in St John the Evangelist churchyard, Dipton. 3,1
- The colliery belonged to John Bowes and Partners Ltd. 1,2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Coal (contextual relationship)
Named 4 times in this record, first in the summary: “…Greener and William Walker, were killed together by a fall of coal and band at Dipton Colliery, County Durham, on 4 December 1911.” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…Walker, were killed together by a fall of coal and band at Dipton Colliery, County Durham, on 4 December 1911.” - Hewer (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Two hewers, John William Greener and William Walker, were killed together by a…”
Sources
- (primary) Colliery accident, Dipton, 4 December 1911 — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Accident record: John William Greener, Dipton, 1911 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) Durham Mining Museum: Dipton Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 6 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026