MineArchiveEccles Pit roof fall, 1943
A fall of roof at the Eccles Pit of Backworth Collieries, Northumberland, on 21 May 1943 killed three men preparing a conveyor and injured two more.
| Date | 21 May 1943 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Backworth Colliery |
| Region | Tyne and Wear |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 3 (3 killed: William Gibson (49), scuffler, George Frazer (41), master shifter, and John William Forster (32), coal filler.) |
| Injuries | Two other men injured. |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A fall of roof while a conveyor was being prepared.
What happened
On 21 May 1943 men at the Eccles Pit, Backworth, were preparing a conveyor when the roof fell. Three were killed: William Gibson, a 49-year-old scuffler, George Frazer, a 41-year-old master shifter, and John William Forster, a 32-year-old coal filler. Two others were injured.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 21 May 1943 a fall of roof at the Eccles Pit, Backworth, killed three men and injured two. 1,2,3,4
- The dead were William Gibson, 49, George Frazer, 41, master shifter, and John William Forster, 32, coal filler. 1,2,3,4
- The men were preparing a conveyor when they were killed by the fall. 2,3,4
- The pit was owned by Backworth Collieries Limited. 2,3,4
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Coal (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…41-year-old master shifter, and John William Forster, a 32-year-old coal filler. Two others were injured.” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “A fall of roof at the Eccles Pit of Backworth Collieries, Northumberland, on 21 May 1943 killed three men preparing a…” - Filler (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…master shifter, and John William Forster, a 32-year-old coal filler. Two others were injured.” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “A fall of roof at the Eccles Pit of Backworth Collieries, Northumberland, on 21 May…”
Sources
- (primary) Durham Mining Museum: Backworth Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: William Gibson, Backworth Eccles Pit, 1943 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: George Frazer, Backworth Eccles Pit, 1943 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: John William Forster, Backworth Eccles Pit, 1943 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 17 October 2026 · Last researched: 17 October 2026