MineArchiveMynydd Maen Colliery roof fall, 1930
Two brothers were killed by a 40 to 50 ton fall of roof at Mynydd Maen Colliery on 3 December 1930, after one of them pushed a 14-year-old boy clear.
| Date | 3 December 1930 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Mynydd Maen Colliery |
| Region | Torfaen |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: the brothers Edward and William John Garvin.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A large fall of roof, of 40 to 50 tons, at the working place in the Meadow Vein.
What happened
On 3 December 1930 the brothers Edward Garvin, 28, and William John Garvin, 31, were working the Meadow Vein at Mynydd Maen Colliery, near Pontypool, with two boys named Cowling. One boy had just been sent to fetch something. At the first rumble from the roof John Garvin gave the other, a lad of 14, a hard push, which carried him clear as between 40 and 50 tons of roof came down on the two brothers. Both were killed; the boy escaped.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 3 December 1930 two brothers, the colliers Edward Garvin, 28, and William John Garvin, 31, were killed by a fall of roof at Mynydd Maen Colliery, near Pontypool. 1,2,3
- Between 40 and 50 tons of roof fell on them while they were working the Meadow Vein. 1
- Two boys named Cowling were working with them; at the first rumble John Garvin pushed the 14-year-old clear, and the boy escaped the fall. 1
- The colliery belonged to the Mynydd Maen Colliery Co. Ltd. 2,3,4
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: “…brothers were killed by a 40 to 50 ton fall of roof at Mynydd Maen Colliery on 3 December 1930, after one of them pushed a 14-year-old boy clear.” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Two brothers were killed by a 40 to 50 ton fall of roof at Mynydd Maen Colliery on 3 December 1930, after one of them pushed…”
Sources
- (secondary) Welsh mining fatalities, 1930 — Welsh Coal Mines
- (secondary) Accident record: Edward Garvin, Mynydd Maen, 1930 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (secondary) Accident record: William Garvin, Mynydd Maen, 1930 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (secondary) Accident record: William John Garvin, Mynydd Maen, 1930 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 9 October 2026 · Last researched: 9 October 2026