Remembrance Service to mark 85 years since Gresford Mining Disaster

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Sep 21st, 2019

A commemorative ceremony will take place tomorrow to mark 85 years since the Gresford Mining Disaster.

The annual service will be held at the Miner’s Wheel Memorial, Bluebell Lane, Pandy at 11am (Sunday 22nd September).

The Gresford Colliery disaster was one of Wrexham’s greatest tragedies – with almost every village in the county borough losing someone.

On September 22nd 1934 an explosion tore through the Dennis section of the colliery – leading to the death of 266 men.





Over 200 rescue workers were sent down in an effort to rescue the miners. All they recovered were 11 bodies – three of them belonging to the first rescue team. One of the rescuers described that mine as being ‘just like hell’.

The explosion left 200 widowed, 800 fatherless and 1,600 jobless.

Tomorrow a short, informal service will take place to remember those who lost their lives and who were affected by the tragedy.

If you would like to find out more about this tragic event, it’s worth paying a visit to Wrexham Museum.