MineArchiveHolmes Colliery roof fall, 1865
On 29 November 1865 two roadsmen were killed at John Horne's Holmes Colliery, near Galston, while taking down loose roof on a new road through old waste. A thin layer of roof fell on one of them, and as James Angus and a workman named Wilson ran in to free him a second fall buried all three; Angus and his companion died, and Wilson escaped badly bruised.
| Date | 29 November 1865 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Holmes Colliery, Galston |
| Region | East Ayrshire |
| Primary type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Associated types | Rescue |
| Fatalities | 2 (James Angus, 61, roadsman; John McMahon, 40, roadsman (named McMeiken in the inspector's report).) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A thin ply of roof above the coal, left unsupported when an old prop was driven out, fell during roadmaking through abandoned waste, followed by a second fall.
What happened
The two men were roadsmen, making a road through part of the waste that had been abandoned for a long time. The roof there was fairly good, but a thin ply lay directly above the coal and usually had to be supported or taken down, and the men were taking it down. One of them drove out an old support, and immediately part of the ply fell on him. Angus and a neighbouring workman, Wilson, rushed in at once to rescue him, and a second fall of roof covered all three. Angus and the first man were fatally injured; Wilson escaped, though severely bruised.
Rescue & recovery
Angus and Wilson went to their companion's aid without waiting; the second fall caught them as they did so.
Investigation & inquiry
The inspector of mines described the accident in his report for 1865.
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 inspector's report names the first man struck as McMeiken, where the index of deaths gives John McMahon. (disputed) 1
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 29 November 1865 two roadsmen, James Angus, 61, and John McMahon, 40, were killed by a fall of roof at John Horne's Holmes Colliery, Galston. 1,2
- They were taking down a thin ply of roof while making a road through old waste; when an old support was driven out, part of the ply fell on one man, and a second fall buried his rescuers. 1
- Angus and a neighbouring workman, Wilson, rushed in to free their companion; Wilson escaped severely bruised. 1
- The inspector's report names the first man struck as McMeiken, where the index of deaths gives John McMahon. (disputed) 1
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Coal (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the cause: “A thin ply of roof above the coal, left unsupported when an old prop was driven out, fell during…” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “On 29 November 1865 two roadsmen were killed at John Horne's Holmes Colliery, near Galston, while taking down loose roof on a new road through…” - HM Chief Inspector of Mines (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s investigation: “The inspector of mines described the accident in his report for 1865.” - Old Workings (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…near Galston, while taking down loose roof on a new road through old waste. A thin layer of roof fell on one of them, and as James Angus and a…” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…workman, Wilson, rushed in at once to rescue him, and a second fall of roof covered all three. Angus and the first man were fatally injured;…”
Sources
- (secondary) Scottish Mining Website - 1865 Deaths — Scottish Mining Website
- (primary) Holmes Colliery [AYR] — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 21 October 2026 · Last researched: 22 October 2026