MineArchiveMerthyr Dare Colliery explosion, 1920
On 3 May 1920 a sudden issue of gas from a crevice in the roof of the Gorllwyn drift, a naked-light working of the Bwllfa and Merthyr Dare collieries at Cwmdare, was fired, burning a collier, Edward Richards, and his fifteen-year-old assistant, Trevor Samuel. Both died four days later in Aberdare General Hospital.
| Date | 3 May 1920 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Merthyr Dare Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 2 (Edward Richards, 22, collier; Trevor Samuel, 15, collier's assistant. Both died four days later.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
Firedamp issuing suddenly from a crevice in the roof of a naked-light working was ignited.
What happened
The Gorllwyn drift was worked with naked lights. Gas came suddenly from a crevice in the roof and fired, catching Richards and Samuel. A roadman nearby heard a noise like a squib and had one ear faintly singed. The two were taken to Aberdare General Hospital, where both died four days later.
Investigation & inquiry
The Secretary for Mines' return of fatal explosions in South Wales and Monmouthshire for 1910 to 1929, given to the House of Commons in 1930, lists the explosion at Merthyr Dare on 3 May 1920 with two deaths.
What's uncertain
Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.
- In a naked-light working, a sudden issue of gas from a crevice in the roof was fired. (uncertain) 1
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- An explosion of firedamp on 3 May 1920 at the Merthyr Dare colliery killed two men. 1,2
- The dead were Edward Richards, a collier of 22, and his assistant Trevor Samuel, 15, who both died four days later in Aberdare General Hospital. 1
- In a naked-light working, a sudden issue of gas from a crevice in the roof was fired. (uncertain) 1
- The Welsh Coal Mines list places the explosion in the Gorllwyn Drift of the Bwllfa colliery level. 1
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…Gorllwyn drift, a naked-light working of the Bwllfa and Merthyr Dare collieries at Cwmdare, was fired, burning a collier, Edward Richards, and his…” - Drift (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “…a sudden issue of gas from a crevice in the roof of the Gorllwyn drift, a naked-light working of the Bwllfa and Merthyr Dare collieries at…” - Firedamp (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “Firedamp issuing suddenly from a crevice in the roof of a naked-light working…” - Naked Light (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…issue of gas from a crevice in the roof of the Gorllwyn drift, a naked-light working of the Bwllfa and Merthyr Dare collieries at Cwmdare, was…” - Roadman (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…a crevice in the roof and fired, catching Richards and Samuel. A roadman nearby heard a noise like a squib and had one ear faintly singed.…”
Sources
- (secondary) Welsh Coal Mines fatalities, 1920 — Welsh Coal Mines
- (primary) Hansard, 1 April 1930: Fatal accidents, South Wales and Monmouthshire (written answer listing colliery explosions 1910-1929) — UK Parliament, Hansard (HC Deb 01 April 1930 vol 237 cc1082-3W)
Record created: 20 October 2026 · Last researched: 20 October 2026