List of those who lost their lives.
Buried in Croxdale, February 20th
Herman Carl Schier M.E. aged 23
Buried at Trimdon, February 19th
James Boyd aged 13
Joseph W.Burnett aged 23
George C. Burnett aged 19
James Burnett aged 17
William Burns aged 35
Michael Docherty aged 14
Edward Spencer aged 19
William Jennings aged 17
John Hale aged 16
Samuel Richardson aged 17
Joseph Worman aged 14
Thomas Worman aged 13
Patrick Durkin aged 13
Joseph Hyde aged 23
William Jefferson aged 18
George Jefferson aged 14
John Williams aged 31
Michael McHale aged 21
Thomas McHale aged 13
George Simon aged 16
Buried at Trimdon, February 21st
John Allison aged 19
Thomas Clark aged 24
Matthew Day aged 13
John Smith aged 26
George Dobson aged 26
Thomas Peat aged 21
Thomas Pryor aged 26
Buried at Kelloe, Sunday February 19th
Robert Edwards aged 17
John Errington aged 33
Thomas Horden aged 56
William Madrell aged 40
Christopher Prest aged 45
Robert Soulsby aged 60
Jacob Soulsby Jnr. aged 27
John Ramsey aged 26
Frank Ramshaw aged 17
William Robinson 34
Ralph H. Robinson aged 17
George Slack aged 21
Richard Thwaites aged 27
John Wilson aged 15
Buried at Kelloe, February 20th
Jacob Berriman aged 33
John Douglas aged 13
David Edwards aged 16
John Hughes aged 29
William Parker aged 16
Thomas Sharp aged 42
Buried at Kelloe, February 21st
Thomas Hunter aged 37
William J. Hyde aged 26
Henry Joyce aged 16
Enoch Sayer aged 18
George Richardson aged 29
Buried February 23rd
Peter Brown aged 60
Buried at Cassop-cum-Quarrington, February 19th
Thomas Blenkinsop aged 37
Buried at Shadforth, February 20th
Robert Maitland aged 40
Buried February 21st
Mathew French aged 13
The vicar of Deaf Hill-cum-Langdale was Rev. Oates Sagar M.A. who held a memorial service
THE TRIMDON GRANGE EXPLOSION 16.02.1882
A POEM WRITTEN BY A YOUNG SURVIVOR
My story may be very old and very simple too,
yet, I know it to be truthful, and the truth is always new.
Oh yes, I know its simple, and very very plain,
but there's nothing half so beautiful as the old made new again.
God's goodness and his mercy are old, yet ever new,
his promises of grace and love, are faithful just and true.
And when I've told my story, I know you will agree,
that God has been kind and gentle, and merciful toward me.
I was brought up to attend the Sabbath school,
and very kindly taught to put my trust in Jesus who had my pardon thought,
and at a very early age, I gave my heart to him.
But soon, oh soon, I fell into wickedness, and sin.
Unmindful of my youthful vows, to live and spread his truth,
till face to face with death I stood, in the hopeful bloom of youth.
It was in a pit explosion at a place called Trimdon Grange/
When upward of a hundred men, were hurried to their graves.
Twas on the 16th day of February 1882.
Where I received such mercy, as I shall tell to you.
About half past two in the afternoon,
while my comrades around me sat.
We had just finished eating and were having a jovial chat,
when there was a sudden calm, and then a rush of air,
that put our lamps all in the dark to leave us in despair.
The cries were most heart rending of those who bent their knee,
and cried, oh God, be merciful, oh God, my God help me.
Two or three lay weeping while the others tried to pray,
"oh take me to my mother", was all the little ones could say.
We all with one accord got up, and stood in single file,
though it seemed a long way to the shaft, very nigh a mile,
When we took hold of each other, and got ready to march away.
I could draw that picture to my mind until this very day.
We hadn't travelled very far, when we heard someone behind,
it was a collier with a light, and oh, he was so kind.
As he came running to us, to take us by the hand,
Doing all that lay within his power, to help our little band.
We had not taken many strides, it seems so sad to tell.
We stumbled over a fall of stone, and put his light out as well.
It was so dark and dismal and what solemn thoughts struck me,
as I thought of my dear home and friends that I never more should see.
But bravely we struggled on, and helped each other too.
While the little ones so sadly cried, "Do take me to my mother now"
What had really happened, we could not truly tell,
Only as we came to the fire damp we all knew seriously too well.
For as we reached the after damp the collier to us should say,
"my lads, be very careful, here is someone lying on the way", "It is the rolley wayman" one little fellow cried,
and all our little group save two, were lying by his side.
Bravely we struggled on, the collier and I,
while the rest of our companions had laid them down to die.
Manfully, we pushed along, as still onwards we crept,
We just got through the after damp, and then fell down and slept.
We may have slept three or four hours, it is difficult to say,
when a party of exploring men, to us had found their way.
They kindly shook and woke us up, by taking us to the shaft.
But we were so cold and trembling with lying in the draft.
And when they brought us up to bank, I was insensible.
Then, as I gradually came round, my joy I could not tell
to see my parents with me, and my brothers and sisters as well.
The joy and gladness in our home could be described to you.
Sadly I forgot God's mercies and the danger I had been in.
Rejected his offers of pardon, to keep living on, in sin.
But I do thank God now, I from my heart can say,
that my trust is placed in Jesus and my sins are washed away.
Now, whether my comrades have gone to heaven, is not for me to say.
Although they cried for mercy before they passed away,
Yet the thief upon the cross was saved at the eleventh hour.
And I hope to meet my companions upon your golden shore.
It may seem pleasant for a time to live in pleasurable sin,
but when death stares us in the face we stand in need of him.
Then let us all in Christ, united be, never let the world us sever.
So that in glory we may be for ever, and for ever.
Written by survivor George Robson
He grew up and became Alderman George Robson.