MineArchiveGlyntillery Colliery shot-firing accident, 1914
A frozen gelignite charge exploded in its hole as it was being rammed at Glyntillery Colliery on 18 March 1914, killing the shotfirer and a repairer and badly injuring two more men.
| Date | 18 March 1914 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Glyntillery Colliery |
| Region | Torfaen |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: the shotfirer William John Fisher and Ernest Bradford.) |
| Injuries | Two other workmen badly injured. |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A charge of frozen gelignite exploded in the shot hole while being rammed.
What happened
On 18 March 1914 a charge of gelignite that had frozen exploded in its shot hole as it was being rammed, in a hard heading at Glyntillery Colliery, near Pontypool. The shotfirer William John Fisher, 33, and the assistant repairer Ernest Bradford were killed and two other men badly injured. All the tackle appeared to be in order, a thawing pan had been provided, and the colliery's shots were fired electrically.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 18 March 1914 the shotfirer William John Fisher, 33, and Ernest Bradford, an assistant repairer, were killed at Glyntillery Colliery, near Pontypool, when a charge exploded as it was being rammed. 1,2,3
- The charge was of frozen gelignite, and it exploded in the shot hole while being rammed home; all the tackle appeared to be in order and a thawing pan had been provided. 1,2,3
- Two other workmen were badly injured. 1,2,3
- Shots at the colliery were fired electrically. 2,3
- The colliery belonged to the Glyn Tillery Colliery Co. 2,3
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…charge exploded in its hole as it was being rammed at Glyntillery Colliery on 18 March 1914, killing the shotfirer and a repairer and badly…” - Shot-firing (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…being rammed at Glyntillery Colliery on 18 March 1914, killing the shotfirer and a repairer and badly injuring two more men.”
Sources
- (secondary) Mining fatalities, 1907 - Welsh Coal Mines — Welsh Coal Mines
- (secondary) Accident record: William John Fisher, Glyn Tillery, 1914 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (secondary) Accident record: Ernest Bradford, Glyn Tillery, 1914 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 9 October 2026 · Last researched: 9 October 2026