MineArchiveWater Haigh Colliery explosion, 1933
On the evening of 27 July 1933 a shot fired in the Top Silkstone seam at Water Haigh Colliery ignited firedamp; three of the six men burned in the explosion died of their injuries.
| Date | 27 July 1933 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Water Haigh Colliery |
| Region | West Yorkshire |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 3 (Three of the six men burned died of their injuries: Joseph Harold Illingworth, George Shepherd (22) and William Maundrill (32). The other three survived.) |
| Context | During active mining (An explosion at the working coal face during the afternoon shift.) |
Cause
A shot fired to bring down coal at the face ignited a build-up of firedamp (methane) in the Top Silkstone seam.
Contributing factors
His Majesty's Inspector of Mines criticised the type of stemming used to fill the shot-hole behind the charge; no individual was blamed.
What happened
It was about twenty past nine on the evening of Thursday 27 July 1933, and the afternoon shift on a coal face some 44 yards long in the Top Silkstone seam was near the end of its work. A shot fired to bring down coal ignited firedamp and six men were burned. Despite their injuries all six reached a first-aid station in the main haulage road, two of them running to the pit bottom to summon help, and the colliery's own motor ambulance took them to the Leeds General Infirmary six miles away. Three of the men died: Joseph Harold Illingworth, who had been in charge of the coal-cutting machine, died that night; George Shepherd, 22, who had drilled the shot-holes, died early on the Saturday; and William Maundrill, 32, who had been operating the conveyor and left a widow and two children, died on the Monday. The three survivors were Joseph Harold Beards, Alfred Goldthorpe and Samuel Homer. The three dead men were buried side by side in Oulton churchyard.
Rescue & recovery
The burned men made their own way to a first-aid station in the main haulage road; two ran to the pit bottom for help, and the colliery's motor ambulance rushed all six to the Leeds General Infirmary.
Investigation & inquiry
His Majesty's Inspector of Mines for the Yorkshire Division reported that the firedamp had been ignited by shotfiring and criticised the stemming material used to fill the shot-hole, but blamed no individual.
Legal & regulatory aftermath
Compensation claims were settled months later at a court in Wakefield; the widow of Harold Illingworth was awarded over £300, paid to her in instalments rather than as a lump sum.
Changes to practice & legislation
Unknown.
Memorials & commemoration
Joseph Harold Illingworth, George Shepherd and William Maundrill are buried side by side in Oulton churchyard.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- A shot fired in the Top Silkstone seam ignited firedamp, burning six men. 1
- Three of the six men burned died of their injuries; the other three survived. 2,1
- HM Inspector of Mines for the Yorkshire Division found the firedamp had been ignited by shotfiring and criticised the stemming used, blaming no individual. 1
- The dead were Joseph Harold Illingworth, George Shepherd and William Maundrill, buried side by side in Oulton churchyard. 1
Photographs & further reading
This page doesn't try to reproduce everything — these are the best original sources found for this disaster.
Detailed account of the shotfiring explosion, the dead and injured, and HM Inspector's report.
View sourceSources
- (secondary) Water Haigh Colliery: the 1933 Explosion — Woodlesford Station Local History
- (secondary) Water Haigh Colliery — Woodlesford Station Local History
Record created: 23 September 2026 · Last researched: 23 September 2026