A memorial has been unveiled for 199 victims of mining disasters at Thornhill Colliery near Dewsbury, some of whom were as young as 12.
The two largest disasters commemorated are the 1893 explosion in the Combs Pit, which took the lives of 139 men and boys, and a 1947 incident at Ings Pit that left 12 workers dead.
The memorial wheel and information plaque bearing names from incidents between 1870 – 1972 was installed in Rectory Park, organised by Thornhill Community Mining Memorial Group.
“Bringing it together in the way that we have… it’s such a wonderful group of people who have all worked together – it’s fantastic,” group co-chair Jackie Ramsay said.
She added that the group was “incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated people who have given their time and energy to this project”.
Ramsay added: “I would especially like to thank Paul and Diane Hinchcliffe who have been the driving force behind it.
“Without their enthusiasm and hard work, we would not have reached this final stage.”
