DECEMBER 21, 1910 has gone down in history as one of the blackest days in mining history.
An explosion at the Pretoria Colliery on the Atherton/Westhoughton border resulted in the death of 344 men.
This photograph depicts a rescue team from Maypole Colliery, Abram at the Pretoria.
Two years earlier 75 men were killed in an explosion at the Maypole.
Former Leigh rugby player and Bull’s Head, Astley landlord Jim Fox, was awarded a medal for his daring efforts to help those injured in the August 1908 Maypole disaster.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here