MineArchiveNational Colliery roof fall, 1913
A timberman and his assistant ripping down the roof of a haulage road at National Colliery, Wattstown, were killed on 18 December 1913 when a large piece fell out.
| Date | 18 December 1913 |
|---|---|
| Mine | National Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: the timberman Oliver Davies and his assistant John Harris.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A large portion of roof fell out while the men were ripping it down on a haulage road.
What happened
On 18 December 1913 the timberman Oliver Davies, 29, and his assistant John Harris, 38, were ripping down the roof of a haulage road at National Colliery, Wattstown, when a large portion of it fell out on them and killed them both instantly.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 18 December 1913 the timberman Oliver Davies, 29, and his assistant John Harris, 38, were killed by a fall of roof on a haulage road at National Colliery, Wattstown. 1,2,3
- They were ripping down the roof of the haulage road when a large portion fell out and killed them instantly. 1,2,3
- The colliery belonged to United National Collieries Ltd. 2,3
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: “…his assistant ripping down the roof of a haulage road at National Colliery, Wattstown, were killed on 18 December 1913 when a large piece fell…” - Haulage (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “A timberman and his assistant ripping down the roof of a haulage road at National Colliery, Wattstown, were killed on 18 December…” - Ripping (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “A timberman and his assistant ripping down the roof of a haulage road at National Colliery, Wattstown,…” - Timberman (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “A timberman and his assistant ripping down the roof of a haulage road at…”
Sources
- (secondary) Welsh coal mining fatalities, 1913 — Welsh Coal Mines
- (secondary) Accident record: Oliver Davies, National, 1913 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (secondary) Accident record: John Harris, National, 1913 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026