Gresford Colliery disaster – History Society

Audlem and District History Society
Next meeting: Thursday 18 September 2025

Gresford Colliery disaster

A huge explosion and fire occurred at Gresford Colliery, near Wrexham, on Saturday 22 September 1934. 266 men lost their lives in one of the worst disasters in Britain: 255 bodies still lie underground. The aftermath of the disaster left its mark on the communities of the wider Wrexham area for many years. The talk covers the story of the
disaster as it unfolded; the rescue attempt by the Llay Main rescue brigade and how it lost three of its men; the impact on families and the flawed inquiry which followed.

Our speaker, Vic Tyler-Jones BA, MSc is a local historian specialising in research and writing about the coal mining industry in the Wrexham area.

Our meetings take place in the Scout and Guide Hall in Cheshire Street and start at 7.30pm. The annual subscription is £15 or visitors can pay £4 on the door.

Sunday 23rd Gresford Colliery pit bank. The grim realisation of what had happened became clear. Hundreds of silent men, women and children waited on the pit banks.