MineArchiveGroesfaen Colliery roof fall, 1915
On Monday 19 April 1915 a stone fell from the roof at the Groesfaen Colliery, Deri, as two rippers worked under a staging after an earlier fall. Henry Roberts was killed instantly and David Cotterell was badly hurt; he died later in Rhymney Hospital.
| Date | 19 April 1915 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Groesfaen Colliery |
| Region | Caerphilly |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Henry Roberts, 45 or 46, ripper, of Henry Street, Bargoed; David Cotter (Cotterell), 41, ripper, of Gilfach, who died later in Rhymney Hospital.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A large stone fell from a smooth (a slip) in the roof above a staging where the men were making room for an arch after an earlier fall; officials had tested the cavity and detected no danger.
What happened
There had been a fall of roof, and Roberts and Cotterell were at work under a staging, making room to set an arch, when a big stone came away. It killed Roberts on the spot. Cotterell, seriously injured, was taken to Rhymney Hospital, where he later died. After the accident it was found that there was a smooth in the roof above, from which the stone had fallen. A youth had been killed by another roof fall at the same colliery a week or so before.
Investigation & inquiry
The coroner, R. J. Rhys, recorded a verdict of accidental death.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
- David Cotter (Cotterell), 41, a ripper, died later at Rhymney Hospital. (uncertain) 1
- After an earlier fall the men were working under a staging making room for an arch when a big stone came away from a smooth above. (uncertain) 1
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On Monday 19 April 1915 a fall of roof at the Groesfaen Colliery, Deri, killed Henry Roberts, a ripper of 45, instantly. 1,2
- David Cotterell, of Gilfach, who was working with Roberts, was seriously injured and taken to Rhymney Hospital. 2
- David Cotter (Cotterell), 41, a ripper, died later at Rhymney Hospital. (uncertain) 1
- After an earlier fall the men were working under a staging making room for an arch when a big stone came away from a smooth above. (uncertain) 1
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “On Monday 19 April 1915 a stone fell from the roof at the Groesfaen Colliery, Deri, as two rippers worked under a staging after an earlier fall.…” - Ripping (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…a stone fell from the roof at the Groesfaen Colliery, Deri, as two rippers worked under a staging after an earlier fall. Henry Roberts was…” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the narrative: “There had been a fall of roof, and Roberts and Cotterell were at work under a staging, making room…”
Sources
- (secondary) 1915 fatalities — Welsh Coal Mines
- (primary) Monmouth Guardian and Bargoed and Caerphilly Observer, 23 April 1915: Deri: colliery fatality — Monmouth Guardian and Bargoed and Caerphilly Observer (Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales)
Record created: 20 October 2026 · Last researched: 20 October 2026