An inquest was held at Ashington Police Station on Thursday, March 1st, 1923, looking into the death of William Harrison, a 46-year-old miner, who was seriously injured underground at Ashington Colliery on July 30th, 1922. Following the accident, Harrison was taken to the Newcastle Infirmary, and later transferred to Ashington Hospital. After treatment at Ashington Hospital he was taken to his home in Chestnut Street, Ashington, where he died.

The inquiry was conducted by Coroner Charles Percy, along with Mr. Forster, Mines Inspector, Mr. C. Henderson, representing the Ashington Coal Company, and Mr. H. Floyd, the workmen's' representative.

William Stephenson stated that he was a stone-man employed at Ashington Colliery. On July 30th he was working with Harrison, going down the pit at 5.40 a.m. Harrison was "ridding" side-packing, and was enlarging the roadway by taking down the back caunch.

They had been at work an hour, during which no shot was fired, as they were using their picks. A large stone fell from just over five feet and when he turned around he could see nothing of Harrison but his lamp. He was completely buried, and after sending for assistance Harrison was recovered from underneath the fall, a large stone having caught his head.

Harrison was unconscious, and in addition to the injury to his head he appeared to be very badly injured about his back. Harrison was then taken to the surface for treatment.

The Coroner asked further questions to Stephenson, who said that the place had been examined before they started work, and there was no danger whatever to be observed. Harrison was an experienced man. It was owing to the presence of a clayey-slip that the stone fell on to Harrison instead of falling at the other side.

The chargeman, John W. Botwood, said that he was on duty on the day in question at five in the morning. He examined the place where the accident occurred at 5. 50 a.m. and everything was all right and apparently quite safe. He was the only person there at the time.

After the fall he again examined the place at 8.30 a.m., and found that the big stone had come off a "greasy jack" and it had fallen outwards with other smaller stones on top of it.

Dr. Maclean, of Ashington, said he attended Harrison at the Ambulance cabin at about eight o'clock in the morning, when he was brought out of the mine. He satisfied himself as to the nature of the injuries that Harrison had sustained a fracture of the spine, and ordered him to be sent to the Newcastle Infirmary at once by motor ambulance.

At Newcastle Infirmary it was decided that Harrison be sent to Ashington Hospital on August 16th, where he remained until October 31st, when he was taken to his home, where he died on February 11th, 1923.

he doctor said he attended Harrison from August 16th when he entered Ashington Hospital, up to the time of his death. His death was caused by inflammation of the bladder, poisoning of the system, and exhaustion as a result of the accident.

After listening to all the evidence, the Coroner recorded a verdict that Harrison died at Ashington on February 11th, from inflammation of the bladder, poisoning of the system and exhaustion as a result of injuries accidentally received by a fall of stone while he was working in Ashington Colliery on July 30th, 1922.

The Coroner then stated, "I don't attach any blame to anybody."

Recognition of the heroic attempt of Thomas Waterson, Robert Shields and Donald Grant, to rescue Thomas Potts after an explosion underground at Bates Colliery, on July 18th, 1936, was made at a public meeting held in the Cowpen and Crofton Miners' Welfare Hall on Monday, March 11th, 1937, by the presentation of awards to Messrs Grant and Shields and to Mrs. Waterson.

Thomas Potts and Thomas Waterson lost their lives as a consequence of the explosion. The presentations made by the Mayor, Alderman Jas. Reilly, were from the Royal Humane Society to: Mrs. Waterson - in Memoriam Bronze Medal and Certificate of the Society.

Robert Shields - Bronze Medal and Certificate of the Society.

Donald Grant - Bronze Medal and Certificate of the Society.

From the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust to:

Mrs. Waterson - Memorial Certificate.

Robert Shields - Honorary Certificate of the Trust, together with cheque totalling £21 16s 6d, which was made up by £10 award and £11 16s 6d, being reimbursement or rescuer's financial loss.

Donal Grant - Honorary Certificate of the Trust, together with cheque totalling £16 15s, which was made up by £10 award and £6 15s, being reimbursement or rescuer's financial loss.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Trust also decided to have the names of Waterson, Shields and Grant inscribed on their Illuminated Roll of Heroes, in recognition of the men's heroism.

There were other presentations given and a letter by Mr. Taylor M.P., to the Mayor was read out. "I do desire to be associated with you in paying homage to these brave men, for their courage is the kind that reveals the best in men."

"The history of mining is replete with the names of men of noble courage and who, alas! In many cases have made the supreme sacrifice."

"And while I sympathise deeply with Mrs. Waterson, I am proud that these men's names have been added to the honoured list."

The explosion, the Mayor said in detailing the circumstances, took place off one of the main roadways in the Fourth North District of the Plessey Seam of Bates Pit. There had been a fall of stone in this particular section of the pit, and Grant and Potts were at one side of this fall, having gone to insert timbers to make the side roadway safe.

On the other side of the fall were Waterson and Shields. When the accident occurred, Grant was hurled along the coal face and made his way back to where Potts was and together they endeavoured to get out into the main roadway. Potts collapsed and Grant, although he was himself in a very exhausted condition and also severely burned, managed to drag Potts some distance nearer to safety. Owing to the gas fumes and his own exhausted conditions, Grant had to leave Potts and managed to reach the main roadway where he found Waterson and Shield.

At the time of the rescue, Waterson and Shields were on the opposite side of the fall from Potts and Grant and they knew that something was amiss on the other side. They rushed off the side road, where they were working and eventually met Grant on the main roadway. Waterson and Shields immediately asked where Potts was, and together they went back into the gas-filled side road in search of him.

They went so far up and had to retreat on account of the gas. On the second attempt they tore up Shields pit shirt and used it as respirators and went in search of Potts. When they reached Potts they made an effort to lift him up but Waterson collapsed.

Shields in turn tried to bring Waterson out, but owing to his own exhausted condition he had to struggle out on his own. Meanwhile Grant, although injured, walked to the bottom of the shaft and he eventually gave the alarm for further assistance.

These three men, Waterson, Shields and Grant, without any hesitation, endeavoured to rescue their workmate Potts, and in a vain attempt Waterson lost his life.

Although this rescue did not prove successful, these men tried as much as the atmospheric conditions would allow, but unfortunately the gas proved too much. The survivors, Shields and Grant, felt the effects of the gas for a few days afterwards and are in fact very fortunate to have come out of this ordeal alive.

"I want to say that another page in the annals of heroism and tragedy in the coal mines has been written," remarked the Mayor, who added that he was in the uncommon position of having to try to speak as Mayor of the town, but he had to confess that he could not help speaking with the feelings of a miner.

Although he had not been in the mines for a while, he had spent more than 30 years as a miner and he could visualise exactly what had happened on that fatal day.

He could imagine these men, on the morning of July 18th, while their comrades were preparing to leave for the Miners' Picnic at Newbiggin, getting ready to go to the pit, with never a thought in their minds of tragedy overhanging them.

Probably the thought uppermost in their minds was who was going to win the Picnic band contest; what were the speakers going to say; would the weather keep fine.

They were going on cheerfully with their work when death came, death to two of them and opportunity to some of them to prove themselves men. "And let me say" the Mayor added, "there has never been a time in the history of the coal mines when the opportunity did not produce the man."

"As a consequence you have no greater heroes than the miners, but there is only one fault, their heroism is rarely recognised until they are dead."

"If the people of this country would only appreciate the fact that a miner is a hero all the time and not just when he is dead, how much happier life for the miners would be."

"It took something like a big disaster to occur before the people recognised the miner as a fellow human being. Then the public sympathy knew no bounds. Any appeal that went forward was generously supported."

"But if the miner got the deal to which he was entitled while he was alive, it would not be necessary to make an appeal when anything tragic occurred."

If he could make one appeal that night, the Mayor said, it was that the people of the country should recognise the living miner and see that he got all that he was entitled to.

He thanked all who had had any share in the rescue work, and he also thanked all who had taken any part in seeing that the bravery displayed on July 18th was properly recognised.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, July 3rd, 1888, a miner, John McAithy, of Morpeth, who was working in the Pegswood Drift Colliery, was found by another miner lying under a fall of stone. Help was immediately at hand but it was some time before he was got out, and it was found  that he was still alive having sustained serious injuries, and two broken legs.

He was taken to the surface and from there to his home in Oldgate Street, Morpeth, where his injuries were attended to by Dr. Skrimshire. Sadly he died at home from the injuries he received.

Silent Enemy.

It creeps up on us daily as we mine the coal below,
We can't see it, we can't smell it; but it's starting to grow.
It gains in strength, collecting near the roof or on the floor, If we choose to ignore it, it will punish us for sure.

It is deadly it is silent; it creeps nearer every second,
It's gathering up its forces, nearly ready now, if beckoned.
Now it's all around us, but we can't feel a thing,
If it's not detected soon, disaster it will bring.

The rippers in the main gate prepare to set a ring,
They jump upon the scaffold planks; Jack's head begins to swing. He shakes his head jumps off the planks; the intruder has been found, "It's safer here", he told his mates, "it's safer on the ground".

The deputy was called for, and he brought his silver lamp,
He quickly took a sample and found deadly firedamp.
"Get some brattice cloth erected; right across the gate".
"We must dilute this menace, or I know what is our fate".

The work was carried out brattice spread from side to side,
Forcing fresh air up, directed, where the enemy did hide.
The gas was soon dispersed as it mingled with the air,
The danger now is over; there's no place for methane there.

Now that we are safe again, we think of bad times past,
Of the men who lost their lives when the methane grew so fast.
A single spark was all it took to release its mighty force,
It took with it each fragile life, which it passed along its course.

All coal-mining areas have endured their share of grief,
They have suffered with explosions, lives taken by this thief.
It doesn't care about religion, colour, creed, or things like that,
Silently sneaking on each victim, with the cunning of a cat.

To defeat the coalmine menace you must treat it with respect,
Be alert; be on guard, it only wins when there's neglect.
Keep the fresh air flowing, keep it mingling with all gases,
Then each day we will return to our wives and to our lasses.