Mells Colliery fall of stone, 1920

Two men named Dowling were buried by a fall of stone in a heading at Mells Colliery, Vobster, on 16 July 1920; the manager stayed underground for twelve hours until both bodies had been recovered.

Cause

A pillar of coal supporting the edge of a slip was taken out, and the whole side came in.

What happened

On 16 July 1920 Frederick Dowling, aged 19, and Joseph Dowling, aged 33, were working in a heading at Mells Colliery, ten yards from Frederick Lockyear, 26. Fred Dowling asked Lockyear for a post, which he passed along with a sledgehammer, and went into the heading. Minutes later the fall came, burying both men under the stone.

Frederick Dowling was found at four o'clock with a shovel in his hand, and Joseph at nine, apparently in the act of putting up a prop, his sledge, pick and prop together beside him. The manager believed Joseph had taken out a pillar of coal two feet to a yard thick over about six feet, which had been supporting the edge of a slip, and that when it was removed the whole side came in without the slightest warning. A doctor from Coleford thought death had been almost instantaneous. Joseph Dowling left a wife and a baby son.

Rescue & recovery

The manager, Edgar Charles Heal, went underground as soon as he heard, organised rescue parties and saw that medical help was ready, and stayed about twelve hours until both bodies were recovered.

Investigation & inquiry

The inquest returned a verdict of accidental death.

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• On 16 July 1920 Frederick Dowling, 19, and Joseph Dowling, 33, were killed by a fall of stone at Mells Colliery, owned by Mells Collieries Limited. ^1,2,3
• The manager believed Joseph Dowling had removed a pillar of coal supporting the edge of a slip, after which the whole side came in without warning. ²
• The manager, Edgar Charles Heal, organised rescue parties and remained some twelve hours until the bodies were recovered. ^2,3
• The inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death. ^2,3

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 pillar of coal supporting the edge of a slip was taken out, and the whole side came…”
• Colliery (contextual relationship)
  Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…named Dowling were buried by a fall of stone in a heading at Mells Colliery, Vobster, on 16 July 1920; the manager stayed underground for twelve…”

Sources

1. (primary) Durham Mining Museum: Mells Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
2. (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Frederick Dowling, Mells, 1920 — Northern Mine Research Society
3. (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Joseph Dowling, Mells, 1920 — Northern Mine Research Society

Record created: 16 October 2026 · Last researched: 17 October 2026