Mexborough and Swinton Times August 24 1918

Fatality at Manvers Main
A Handyman Killed and Youth Badly Injured

On Monday, Mr Kenyon Parker conducted an inquest at the Carnegie Library, Swinton, concerning the death of George Hampshire age 47 years, of 150, Wath Rd, Swinton, was killed while at work on Friday last at Manvers Main number one Pit.

Mr George William Hibbert was foreman of the jury. Mr Marshall Robson, manager, represented the Colliery Company; HM Inspector of Mines, Mr J Hall, was for the Government and Mr J Vaughan watched the interests of the Yorkshire Miners Association.

Mrs Hampshire, the widow, gave evidence of identification. Her husband was a haulage hand, and had worked in the pit from being a boy.

T. Pollard, deputy at Manvers Main No. 1 pit, said he found the deceased about 9-30 p.m. He first saw a rope broken and reported the matter. He returned as soon as possible searching where a train of corves had broken loose. He found a fall of earth had occurred and the first corf was badly broken. The first three tubs were off the road and stuck in the debris, the coupling being broken. This suggested that some dirt had thrown the first tub off the line, which had knocked down the timber and loosened the bars, which caused a big fall of the roof, covering about three corves. He found the deceased in an empty corf.

There was also a boy, John T. Conroy, doubled up in the tub with his head between Hampshire’s legs. He was found to be badly injured, and was taken to the Mexborough hospital but Hampshire was dead.

The latter had evidently made an attempt to jump from the corf. His head and one arm were over the side. The boy Conroy was laid inside the tub. His leg was dislocated. It was against the rules to ride inside the tub.

William Hessam of 61 Sandymount, Wath, a miner at Manvers Main Number One Pit, said deceased was found dead in an empty tub with another youth called Conroy who must have been riding. The fall of roof was on the top of the corves, some four or five bars being down.

Mr Marshall Robson said he would like on behalf of the Colliery Company, to state that the deceased was looked upon as a handyman of the mine. For 34 years he had worked there regularly, and went to any part of the pit to perform special work there was to do. He (Mr Robson) was exceedingly sorry the life had been lost under such circumstances.

Mr Vaughan said he quite agreed with Mr Robson remarks. The deceased was one that never complained, and he always honoured the man. He was sorry this had happened. He spoke on behalf of all the men at the colliery, and expressed their deep sorrow.

The verdict was “Accidentally killed by corves knocking down timber, causing a fall of roof.”