Oaks Colliery Disaster 1866

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Barnsley, Yorkshire, England

Worldwide Disasters | Mining Disasters | England Mining Disasters Yorkshire Mining Disasters | Oaks Mine Disaster 1866

Contact: Joan Whitaker

History and Circumstances

• Date: 12th & 13 December 1866
• Location: Oaks Colliery, Barnsley, Yorkshire England
• Victims: 384 lives lost
• Cause: Colliery Explosion

At 1.20 pm on Wednesday 12 December 1866, with less than an hour of the shift remaining, an explosion of firedamp rocked The Oaks Colliery at Hoyle Mill near Stairfoot in Barnsley, West Riding of Yorkshire. Two dense columns of smoke and debris erupted from the shafts. The ground shook and sooty deposits landed up to 5 miles away. Of the 340 men and boys in the pit only 20 were rescued alive. Of these 20 only 6 survived.

A rescue operation to recover bodies and make the Pit safe extended into 13 December and was led by Jeffcock, Parkin, and eminent Mining Engineer from Derby. At 9 am on the morning of 13th December, a second violet explosion killed Jeffock and 26 other volunteers. A third and fourth explosion occurred during the day and any hope of finding anyone alive in the pit was dashed.

In the early hours of Friday 14 December, signal bells were heard ringing in the No. 1 pit Bottom. Two volunteers descended in a sinking hoppit and recued Samuel Brown, a member of the original rescued team. He was the only survivor of the second explosion . From Saturday to Tuesday, another fourteen explosions occurred and the decision was made to seal the three shafts at the Colliery to extinguish the fires and prevent further explosions.

The inquest into the disaster was conducted by Mr. Thomas Taylor, one of the Coroners for the County of Yorkshire and lasted 13 days. From the testimony of the witnesses, it was obvious that there had been large accumulations of gas in the old disused working and sudden outbursts of gas sometimes occurred. How the gas had become ignited was unknown.

When the danger of further explsions was past the shafts were re-opened and work resumed.. At the same time bodies of the victims were recovered. The first body was found in September 1867.

The Oaks was the worst disaster in the history of world mining at the time, and remained the worst in Britain until the explosion at Universal Colliery, Senghenydd, South Wales in 1913. The Oaks remains the worst disaster in the Yorkshire Coalfied and the rest of England.

Monument erected in 1913 by Samuel J Cooper in memory of the heroes of the rescue parties of the Oaks Colliery explosion of 13 December 1866. (The monument depicts an Angel carrying and Angel.)

NOTE

The total number of victims in of this disaster is uncertain, because records of the number of men in the mine were not kept at that time.

The official total number of victims was 334 by the first explosion on Wednesday 12th December 1866 and another 26 by the second explosion the following day. Total 360. 75 bodies were recovered prior to the shafts being closed. 45 were recovered during the first twelve months after the shaft was reopened and 70 during the following years making the total 190.

In 2016, the 150th anniversary of the disaster, volunteer researchers found 384 victims (Not all were verified).

Victims Name Sourced Bio Connected Category William (Foster) Abbott - Age25, Collier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Addy, George - Age 33, Collier, Buried 9 Feb 1869 at Barnsley. Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Allen, Matthew - Age 15. Dayboy, Buried 2 Feb 1868 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Anderson, Thomas - Age 22, Hurrier, Buried 21 Feb 1869 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Armitage, Alfred - Age 20, Dayboy, Buried 12 Nov 1868 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes John Armfield - Age 20, Collier, Buried 25 Dec 1870 at Thorpe Hesley, Born: Ecclesfield, Yorkshire, England . Yes Yes Yes Tes Arnold, George - Age 33, Collier, Buried 12 March 1869 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Arnold, John - Age 27, Hurrier, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Arnold, Matthew - Age 31 Collier, Buried 11 July 1869 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Backhouse, George - Volunteer Rescuer, Lived at Darton Matthew Bamforth - Age 26, Collier, Buried 19 Dec 1869 at Monk Bretton.Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Banks, Thomas - Volunteer Rescuer Joseph Bann - Age 34, Buried 3 July 1870 at Ardsley. Born - Poynton, Cheshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Thomas Bann - Age 13, Horse Driver, Buried 16 December 1866 at Ardsely. Born - Poynton, Cheshire, England (Death registered at Thomas Band) Yes Yes Yes Yes Bantam, Joshua/Joseph - Age 28/38, Collier, Buried 25 July 1869 at Monk Bretton. Lived at Littleworth Bard, Joshua - Collier Andrew Barker (Holgate) Barker - Age 14, Dayboy, Born - Clay Cross, Derbyshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Andrew Barker - Age 19. Collier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Ingleton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Andrew Barker - Age 46, Collier, Buried 15 December 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Ingleton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Barker, George - Age 13, Dayboy Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England George (Holgate) Barker - Age 12, Dayboy, Born - Clay Cross, Derbyshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes James Barker (1815-1866) From Ingleton - Age 51, Dayman Yes Yes Yes Yes Richard Barker - Age 14, Hurrier, Buried 15 Dec 1870 at Ardsley. Born - Thornton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Thomas Barker - Age 26, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Ingleton, Yorkshire, England. Yes Yes Yes Yes William Barker - Age 16, Hurrier, Buried 16 December 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Ingleton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Barraclough, Alfred - Age 17, Hurrier Born - Bolton-upon-Dearne, Yorkshire, England Barry, William - Age 27, Hurrier Born - Cork, Cork, Ireland John Bates - Age 20, Collier, Born - West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England Yes Yes Yes Moses Bates - Age 18, Hurrier, Buried 15 Aug 1868 at Ardsley. Born - West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England Yes Yes Yes Philip Bates- Age 45, Collier, Buried 28 Feb 1869 at Ardsley. Born - Bolton, Lancashire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Bates, William - Age 14, Nipper, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Lived: Ash Row, Hoyle Mill William Bates - Age 16, Hurrier. Born - West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England Yes Yes Yes James Batty - Age 21, Hurrier Born - Thurlstone, Yorkshire, England. Yes Yes Yes Joseph Batty - Age 27, Collier. Born - Thurlstone, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Beaumont, Henry, Volunteer Rescuer Solomon Bellamy - Age 18, Hurrier, Burried 16 Dec 1866 at Worsbrough Dale. Born - Stainborough, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Bennett, James - Age 27, Collier, Lived Hoyle Mill Bennett, John - Age 18, Hurrier. Buried 22 Dec 2870 at Ardsley, Lived Hoyle Mill Bennett, Thomas - Age 14, Hurrier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Lived Hoyle Mill Bennett, Thomas - Dayboy Bennett, Thomasn, Age 18. Hurrier Buried 22 Dec 1870 at Ardsley Berry, William - Hurrier Birchall, George - Age 40, Collier Born - Mangotsfield, Bristol, Gloucestershire Birkinshaw, Arthur - Hurrier Bonson, John - Age 31, Born - Worplesdon, Surrey, England William Boothroyd - Age 21, Hurrier, Buried 18 May 1869 at Monk Bretton. Born - Hoyle Mill, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes George Borrowdale - Age 49, Dayman, Buried Ardsley. Born - Westhouse, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Daniel Bradley - Age 29, Collier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton. Born - Adlington, Cheshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Edward Bradley - Age 16, Dayboy, Buried 22 Nov 1868 at Gawber Born - Adlington, Cheshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Bradley, John - Age 35, Collier. Buried 23 Aug 1868 at Ardsley. Born - Poynton, Cheshire, England John Bradley (1824-1866) - Age 42, Collier, Buried 18 June 1868 at Gawber. Born - Adlington, Cheshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Brierley Henry - Volunteer Rescuer Henry Brook - Age 48, Dayman, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Charles Brooke (1833-1866) - Age 32, Collier, Buried 7 Sep 1869 at Ardsley. Born - Great Houghton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Brooke, John - Dayboy Brown, Alfred - Hurrier Brown, Benjamin - Age 21, Hurrier Buried 26 July 1868 at Barnsley. Lived Barnsley Brown, Charles - Hurrier Brown, John - Collier Lived Stairfoot Brown Joseph - Lived Hoyle Mill Brown, Thomas Lot Brownlow- Age 25, Hurrier, Buried 4 July 1868 at Ardsley. Born - Greasley, Nottinghamshire, England Yes Yes Yes Burden, joseph - Age 12, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Burgon, Joshua - Dayboy Burkinshaw, Arthur - Age 45, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Lived Wilkinson Row, Barnsley Cadman, John - Age 13, Horse Driver, Buried 31 Aug 1869 at Ardsley. Born - Newton and Godley, Cheshire, England George Carr - Age 17, Hurrier Born - Littleworth, Yorkshire, England Born - Littleworth, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes John Carr - Age 15, Horse Driver Yes Yes Yes Carr, William - Dayboy Abel Cartwright - Age 21, Collier, Buried 16 Aug 1868 at Ardsley Born - Pontesbury, Shropshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Edward Cartwright) - Age 31, Collier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Pontesbury, Shropshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes John Cartwright - Age 23, Collier Born - Pontesbury, Shropshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes John Castle - Age 28, Collier, Buried 30 April 1873 at Ardsley. Born - Scholes, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Charles Challenger (1848-1866) - Age 18, Hurrier, Buried 30 Oct 1868 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Henry Chesterfield - Age 56, Dayman, Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Denton, Northamptonshire, England Yes Yes Yes Clapham (Lumb), Richard - Age 21, Collier Born - Rothwell, Yorkshire, England Clarke, Thomas - Hurrier Francis Clarkson - Age 15, Hurrier, Buried 18 Aug 1868 at Ardsley, Born - Hickleton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Richard Clarkson - Age 24, Collier, Buried 18 Aug, 1868 at Ardsley. Born - Hickleton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Thomas Clarkson - Age 17, Hurrier, Buried 18 Aug 1868 at Ardsley. Born - Hickleton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Charles Clarey (1843-1866) - Age 24, Hurrier. Born Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Henry Clayton- Age 22, Hurrier, buried 3 April 1870 at Ardsley. Born - Cawthorne, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes John Clayton| - Age 23, Dayman/Hurrier. Born - Cawthorne, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Charles Clegg - Age 45, Born - Dodworth, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes John Thomas Clegg - Age 14, Horse Driver, Buried 2 Sep 1868 at Ardsley. Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Coldwell, George Andrew - Age 14, Horse Driver, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Lived Thomas Street, Barnsley Collin, John - Hurrier Charles Conley - Age 20, Collier, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire. England Yes Yes Yes John Conley - Age 23, Collier, Born - Newcastle, Northumberland, England Yes Yes Yes Cooke, Amos - Age 20, Hurrier, Buried 18 Oct 1868 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Joseph Cooper Charlesworth- Age 19, Hurrier, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes David Cooper Charlesworth - Age 23, Hurrier, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Cooper James - Volunteer Rescuer Cooper, Joshua - Hurrier Cooper, Thomas - Age 17, Collier, Buried 3 March 1872 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Coughlan, John - Age 27, Buried Barnsley, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Andrew Coward- Age 29, Hurrier. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes George Coward- Age 24, Collier, Buried 22 Aug 1869 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes George Damms - Age 25, Collier, Buried 16 Mar 1869 at Ardsley. Born - Holmesfield, Derbyshire, England Yes Yes Yes Dawson, John - Volunteer Rescuer Dawson, William - Age 45, Dayman/Pit Sinker. Born - Holmesfield, Derbyshire, England Dawsons, George - Collier Peter Day- Age 25, Collier, Volunteer Rescuer. Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Abraham Dennis - Age 26, Collier Born - Llangynwyd, Glamorganshire, Wales Yes Yes Yes Yes Benjamin Dennis - Age 32, Collier. Born - Trevethin, Monmouthshire, Wales Yes Yes Yes Yes Dennis, John - Age 35, Collier. Lived Barnsley Dickinson, Thomas - Age 30, Volunteer Rescuer, Buried 5 may 1868 at Barnsley. Born - Ecclesfield, Yorkshire, England Dixon, Matthew - Age 21. Hurrier, Buried 29 Aug 1869 at Ardsey. Born - Hetton-le-Hole, Durham, England Thomas Dixon - Age 19, Hurrier, Buried 21 June 1869 at Monk Bretton. Born - York, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes William Stephenson Dixon - Age 15. Dayboy/Trapper. Born - York, Yorkshire, England Born - York, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Dodgson/Dobson, William - Age 21, Hurrier, Buried 19 July 1869 at Monk Bretton. Lived Littleworth Charles Donkin - Age 13, Horse Driver, Buried 21 Sep 1869 at Ardsley. Born - Hoyle Mill, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Thomas Donkin - Age 25, Collier. Buried 24 February 1870 at Ardsley. Born - Hoyle Mill, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Tom Donkin - Age 16, Hurrier, Buried 15 April 1873 at Ardsley. Born - Hoyle Mill, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes William Duckworth - Age 30, Collier. Born - Cudworth, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Samuel Dunk - Age 22, Collier Buried 31 Jan 1869 at Barnsley. Born - Worsbrough, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes George Edson - Age 21, Hurrier, Buried 20 May 1869 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes John Edson - Age 20, Hurrier,, Buried 23 August 1869 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes John Edson - Age 27, Collie, Burried 30 May 1869 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Willam Edson - Age 25, Hurrier, Buried 16 December 1866 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes William Edson - Age 25, Buried 16 December 1866 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Ellis, George - Age 20, Hurrier. Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsely. Born - Clayton West, Yorkshire, England Evans, Edward - Age 27, Hurrier. Born - Barnsley Evans, George - Age 47, Collier, Buried 30 June 1868 at Barnsley. Born - Clayton West, Yorkshire, England Evans, John - Age 17, Collier Lived Barnsley John Everett - Age 29, Dayman, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Toft Newton, Lincolnshire, England Yes Yes Yes Benjamin Exley - Age 14, Dayboy, Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Charles Exley - Age 18, Hurrier, Born - Monk Bretton, Barnsley, England Yes Yes Yes Yes John Exley - Age 34, Hurrier, Buried 5 Dec 1869 at Monk Bretton. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Fairclough, Benjamin - Hurrier Farmer, John - Age 38, Collier, Burried 16 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton. Lived Cliffe Bridge, Monk Bretton Yes Yes Yes Yes Joshua Faulks - Age 25, Collier, Buried 22 August 1869 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Charles Fearn - Age 19, Hurrier, Born - Cliffe Bridge, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes David Hawcroft Fearn - Age 21, Hurrier, Born - Cliffe Bridge, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes James Fleetwood - Age 13, Horse Driver. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Charles Fletcher - Age 12, Horse Driver, Buried 20 April 1868 at Ardsley. Born - Hoyle Mill, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Frederick Fletcher - Age 22, Collier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Lived Oaks Colliery, Hoyle Mill Yes Yes Yes Gaunt, Michael - Age 14, Horse Driver, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Gillchrist/Gillbride, Martin - Age 23, Hurrier,Buried 31 Jan 1869 at Barnsley. Lived Barnsley Gladwin, George - Age 37, Collier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Sandal, Yorkshire, England Glover, James/John - Age 19, Hurrier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Glover, Thomas - Age 16, Hurrier Buried 32 Aug 1868 at Monk Bretton. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Gott, Henry - Age 19, Hurrier John Graham - Age 12, Horse Driver, Buried 7 June 1868 at Monk Bretton, Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Grant, Michael - Dayboy Hackin, Robert - Age 35, Hurrier, Buried 26 Nov 1968 at Barnsley. Lived Barnsley Haigh, Henry - Age 14, Horse Driver. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Haigh, William - Age 21, Horse Driver. Lived Hoyle Mill Haigh, William - Age 16, Horse Driver, Buried 29 Oct 1868 at Monk Bretton. Lived Monk Bretton Hall, Henry - Age 21, Hurrier, Buried 28 Apr 1869 at Ardsley. Lived Hunningley Lane Hall, Robert Ratcliffe - Age 27, Volunteer Rescuer, Buried 5 May 1868 at Barnsley. Lived Low Valley, wombwell Hallworth, David - Collier Halton, John - Ag 17, Hurrier, Buried 19 Mar 1869 at Ardsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Hammond, Thomas - Age 39, Dayman, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire, England Hardcastle, John - Age 12, Dayboy, Buried 25 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Hardcastle, Thomas - Age 39, Dayman, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - York, Yorkshire, England Harper, John - Age 16, Hurrier, Buried 12 Nov 1868 at Ardsley. Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire Harrison, Charles - Age 16, Hurrier, Buried 15 Dec 1869 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England. Harrison, Joshua/Joseph - Age 39, Collier, Buried 15 Dec 1869 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Hassle, Walter - Hurrier Hawcroft, William - Age 19, Hurrier. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Hawley, Walter - Age 19, Collier., Buried 29 October 1868 at Ardsley. Born Royston, Yorkshire, England. Haycroft, James - Age 38, Collier Born - Shoreditch, London, England. Hayell, George - Hurrier Hayes, John - Dayboy Haywood, Henry - Age 50, Volunteer Rescuer. Lived Blacker Hill, Worbrough Heading, James - Volunteer Recuer Healey, Alfred - Age 23, Hurrier, Buried 10 Nov 1868 at Monk Bretton. Born Bolton Lancashire, England Hellewell, John - Age 26, Collier. Born - Stanley, Yorkshire, England. Hellewell, Samuel - Age 20, Collier, Buried 20 Dec 1868 at Monk Bretton. Born - Hoyland, Yorkshire, England Hellewell, Thomas - Age 15, Hurrier, buried 15 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton. Born - Leeds, Yorkshire, England Henry, Thomas - Hurrier Hepenstall, Robert - Volunteer Rescuer Hessle, Walter - Age 18, Hurrier, buried Ardsley. Born - Worbrough, Yorkshire, England Highlands, Thomas - Hurrier Hiland, Thomas - Age 30, Collier, Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Cork, Cork, Ireland Hill, William - Age 12, Horse Driver, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire, England Hilton, Henry - Age 28, Collier. Born - Hoyle Mill, Yorkshire, England Charles Hinchliffe - Age 22, Hurrier, Buried 7 Mar 1869 at Barnsley, Born - Cawthorn, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Hinchcliffe, George - Lived Hoyle Mill Henry Hinchliffe - Age 25, Collier, Buried 7 Mar 1869 at Barnsley, Born - Cawthorne, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Hinchcliffe, John - Age 26, Collier, Buried 4 mar 1869 at Ardsley. Born - Cudworth, Yorkshire, England Hirst, Robert- Age 19, Lived Hoyle Mill Hitchin, George - Age 13, Horse Driver, Buried 28 Jan 1869 at Barnsley. Lived Barnsley Hobson, George - Age 48, Collier, Buried 27 July 1870 at Ardsley. Lived Hoyle Mill Holbert, Francis Holbrooks, John - Age 11, Horse Driver Holdsworth, David - Age 26, Collier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Norbury, Cheshire, England Holdsworth, Frederick - Age 25, Collier. Born - Wakefield Yorkshire, England Hole, Henry - Age 14, Hurrier Holiday, Samuel - Hurrier Holland, David - Age 40, Hurrier, Lived Barnsley Hollin/Holling, Joshua/Joseph - Age 15, Hurrier, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Hoobeck, Matthew - Hurrier Horbury, Thomas - Age 24, Hurrier. Born - Cudworth, Yorkshire, England. Hough, George - Age 13, Dayboy. Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire, England Howard, Henry - Age 45, Collier, Buried 4 May 1868 at Barnsley. Born - Kirkburton, Yorkshire, England Howarth, John - Hurrier Howell, George - Age 17, Buried Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Hoyland, Alfred - Age 54, Dayman/Volunteer Rescuer, Buried 7 Oct 1867 at Barnsley. Born - Emley, Yorkshire, Englan Hoylands, George - Age 22, Hurrier, Buried 18 June 1868 at Barnsley. Born - Worsbrough, Yorkshire, England Hoyland, Thomas Hudson, George - Collier Hunt, Joshua/Joseph - Age 20, Hurrier, Buried 1 August 1869 at Ardsley. Born - Worsbrough, Yorkshire, England Hunt, Richard - Age 29, Dayman, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Worsbrough, Yorkshire, England Hurst, Robert - Collier Charles Hutchinson - Age 25, Collier, Buried 20 Jan 1869 at Monk Bretton. Born - Auckley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Hutchinson, Joseph Thomas Hutchinson - Age 27, Hurrier. Born - Auckley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Hyde, Thomas - Age 25, Collier, Buried 18 June 1868 at Ardsley. Born - Ticknall, Derbyshire, England. Hydes, Henry - Age 20, Hurrier, Born - Wombwelll, Yorkshire, England Hydos, Thomas - Collier Ibbotson, George - Age 38, Dayman, Buried 15 Aug 1871 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Illingworth, Ezra - Age 12, Dayboy/Nipper, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born = Wakefield, Yorkshire, England Jackson, Henry - Age 35, Collier, Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Lived Silver Street, Barnsley Jackson, John - Age 16, Hurrier, Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Lived Silver Street, Barnsley Jackson, William - Age 12, Horse Driver, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England James, John - Age 51, Volunteer Recuer, Buried 27 Sep 1867 at Barnsley Jeffcock, Parkin Age 37, Volunteer Rescuer, Buried 7 Oct 1867 at Ecclesfield, Born - Ecclesfield, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Jones, John - Age 28, Hurrier, Buried 25 Feb at Ardsley - Thomas' son . Lived Barnsley Jones, Samuel - Age 17, Hurrier - Thomas' son Born - Wooley, Yorkshire, England Jones, Thomas - Age 40, Collier, Buried 18 Dec 1870 at Monk Bretton - Father. Born - Bagillt, Flintshire, Wales Jones, William - Age 19, Hurrier, Buried 18 Dec 1870 at Monk Bretton. Born - Orrell Post, Lancashire, England Jowett, Benjamin - Age 54. Dayman, Buried 16 December 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Thornier, Yorkshire, england Kay, Jabez - Age 24, Dayman, Buried 21 December 1866 at Worsborugh, Born - Heage, Derbyshire, England Keen, John - Age 13, Lived Hoyle Mill Keighley, Joshua - Age 20, Dayman, Born - Horncastle, Lincolnshire, England Kenworthy, Edward - Collier Kenyon, Edward - Age 23, Collier, Buried 14 July 1869 at Ardsley. Lived Ardsley Keone, John - Dayboy Lane, Austin - Age 15, Horse Driver, Buried 19 December 1866 at Monk Bretton. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England. Lane, James - Age 26, Collier Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Lavley, George - Age 27, Hanger On, Buried 23 Dec 1866 at Ardsley, Born - Darton, Yorkshire. George Lawley - Age 33, Born - Tamworth, Warwickshire, England. Yes Yes Yes Lawley, John - Age 35, Collier. Born - Tamwoth, Warwickshire, England Lea, Joshua - Hurrier Leather, Joshua - Age 35, Collier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Hindley, Lancashire, England. Leather, Thomas - Age 32, Collier. Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Lived John Street, Barnsley. Lee, Joseph - Age 33, Hurrier. Lived Hoyle Mill. Lee, Joseph, - Age 22, Hurrier, Buried 26 June 1870 at Monk Bretton. Born - Royston, Yorkshire, England Lee Joshua - Hurrier Lee, Mark - Age 66, Dayman/Signal man, Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Dukinfield, Cheshire, England. Lee, William - Age 18. Hurrier. Born - Royston, Yorkshire, England Lever, George - Dayman Long, George - Age 36, Collier, Buried 11 July 1869 at Barnsley. Born - North Lopham, Norfolk, England Marsden, Henry - Age 21. Collier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley, Lived Hoyle Mill Marshall, George - Age 27, Collier, Buried 19 November 1868 at Barnsley, Yorkshire. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Marshall, John - Hurrier William Marshall - Labourer Massey, Richard - Age 11. Nipper, Buried 19 July 1868 at Ardsley. Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire, England Matthews, Charles - Age 19. Hurrier, Buried 26 June 1870 at Barnsley, Lived Monk Bretton Matthews, William - Age 33, Collier. Lived Hoyle Mill Mattrick, Matthew - Dayboy Mattrick, William - Collier Mccarthy, John - Hurrier Mcdonald, Michael - Age 22, Hurrier Lived Barnsley Mcdonald, Peter - Age 27, Collier Lived Barnsley McDowell, James - Collier Mchugh, John Henry - Age 12, Lamp Cleaner, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Goole, Yorkshire, England Mclintock, William - Hurrier Mettrick, Matthew - Age 14, Horse Dirver, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Mettrick, William - Age 16, Hurrier, Buried 7 April 1869 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Middleton, Willam - Hurrier Miller, George - Age 21, Hurrier Lived Barnsley Moore, George - Age 39, Hurrier, Lived Staincross Morrell, John - Age 20, Hurrier. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Morris, Stephen - Age 19, Hurrier, Lived Barnsley Joseph Mort -- Age 36, Collier, Buried 26 July 1868 at Ardsley, Born - Astey, Lancashire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Moss, Banjamin - Hurrier Moss, John - Age 17, Hurrier Born Hoyle Mill, Yorkshire, England. Musgrave, Edward - Age 36, Collier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton, Born - Alverthorpe, Yorkshire, England Musgrave, George - Age 39, Hurrier Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton. Born - Alverthorpe, Yorkshire, England. Ephram Nadin- Age 13, Horse Driver, Born - Staveley, Derbyshire, England. Yes Yes Yes George Nadin - Age 15, Hurrier. Born - Staveley, Derbyshire, England Yes Yes Yes Thomas Nadin - Age 45, Volunteer Rescuer, Born - Staveley, Derbyshire, England Yes Yes Yes Neal, Samuel Thorpe - Age 12, Horse Driver, Buried 7 Feb 1859 at Ardsley, Born - Worsbrough, Yorkshre, England Neal, John Brown - Age 47, Collier, Buried 7 Feb 1869 at Ardsley, Born - Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. Nelson, George - Labourer Newton, John - Age 32, Collier, Born - Oldham, Lancashire, England Noble, John - Age 18, Hurrier Buried 3 Aug 1872 at Barnsley, Lived Barnsley. Norman, William - Age 15, Horse Driver, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire, England Nuthall, John - Age 31, Collier, Lived Oaks Colliery, Hoyle Mill. Oakley Nichols, Richard - Age 29, Collier, Buried 2 Oct 1868 at Ardsley, Born -- Sedgley, Staffordshire, England Osborne, Charles - Age 15, Horse Driver, Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Staveley, Derbyshire, England Osbourne, Henry - Age 18, Hurrier Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Staveley, Derbyshire, England. Parker, William - Age 38, Hurrier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Pasley, John - Hurrier Payman, Frederick - Age 15, Horse Driver, Born - Worsbrough, Yorkshire, Payman, Thomas - Age 44, Collier, Buried 21 Sep 1869 at Ardsley, Born - Brierley, Yorkshire, England. Joseph Peaker - Age 29, Collier, Born -Monk Bretton, Yorkshire. Yes Yes Yes Yes Pickford, John - Age 16, Horse Driver, Buried 23 May 1869 at Ardsley. Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire, England Pickles, Thomas - Age 33, Collier. Buried 13 January 1869 at Monk Bretton. Born - Leeds, Yorkshire, England. Pooley, John - Age 24, Hurrier Lived Hoyle Mill Alfred Poppleton - Age 15, Horse Driver, Buried 23 Aug 1868 at Monk Bretton, Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England. Yes Yes Yes Yes George Poppleton - Age 11, Horse Driver, Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire. Yes Yes Yes Yes Henry Poppleton) - Age 57, Labourer, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton, Born - Cudworth, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Henry Poppleton Age 23, Dayman, Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire. Yes Yes Yes Yes Joseph Poppleton - Age 31, Collier Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Priestley, Joseph - Age 17, Hurrier, Buried 16 Aug 1868 at Monk Bretton. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Priestley, William - Dayboy Race, Nathan - Age 29, Hurrier, Buried 12 Jan 1873 at Barnsley. Born - Wakefield, Yorkshire, England Ramsden, Charles - Age 29, Collier Buried 7 Apr 1870 at Barnsley. Born - Gawber, Yorkshire, England. Ramsden, Henry - Age 18, Hurrier Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Ramsden, Samuel - Age 24 Collier, Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire, England Randerson, Charles - Age 29, Collier. Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Lived Stairfoot. Raynor, James - Age 14, Horse Driver, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Raynor, Joshua - Age 40 Corporal, buried 6 July 1868 at Ardsley, Born - Mirfield, Yorkshire, England Rhodes, Charles - Age 20, Hurrier , Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England. Rhodes, Fergus - Age 25, Collier. Born Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England. Rhodes, George - Age 18, Hurrier, Buried 26 Dec 1869 at Monk Bretton, Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Rhodes, William - Age 28, Miner. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, england Richardson, John - Age 19, Hurrier Born - Staveley, Derbyshire, England Richardson, Samuel - Age 34, Dayman Rider, Jervis - Age 46, Collier. Born - Grantham, Lincolnshire, England Robert Remmington - Age 18, Hurrier. Buried 23 Jan 1870 at Ardsley, Yorkshire. Born Ingleton, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Roberts, Isaac - Lived Barnsley Robinson, Stephen - Age 18, Hurrier, Buried 29 Oct 1868 at Ardsley. Born - Escrick, Yorkshire, England Robinson, William - Volunteer Rescuer. Robson, John - Age 37 Deputy, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley, Lived Hoyle Mill Roebuck, Joshua/Joseph - Age 55, Collier, Buried 10 Aug 1868 at Royston, Born - Cudworth, Yorkshire, England Roebuck, Matthew - Age 21. Hurrier, Buried 10 Aug 1868 at Royston, Born - Cudworth, Yorkshire, England Rook, John - Age 16, Horse Driver, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Ross, Joseph - Age 57, Miner. Buried 16 Dec. 1866 at Ardsley. Lived Hoyle Mill Rothwell, Henry - Age 25, Collier, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Rowning, Michael - Hurrier Ryan, John - Age 27, Hurrier, Buried 11 Jan 1870 at Barnsley. Scales, Matthew - Age 23, Hanger On, Buried 23 Dec 1866 at Ardsley. Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire, England Schofield, Thomas - Age 13, Hurrier, Buried 12 Nov 1868 at Barnsley. Lived Barnsley Scissons, Aaron - Collier Christopher Seddon - Age 50 Deputy/Volunteer Rescuer, Buried 8 October 1867 at Ardsley, Born - Greasbrough, Yorkshire, Yorkshire. Yes Yes Yes Yes Edward Seddon - Age 19 Brakesman, Buried 21 Sep 1869 at Ardsley, Born - Barugh, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Samuel Seddon - Age 14, Hurrier, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Thomas Seddon - Age 32, Hurrier Buried 18 June 1858 at Monk Bretton, Born - Norcroft, Cawthorne, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Ephraim Sellers - Age 63, Dayman Born - Darton, Yorkshire, England. Yes Yes Yes Yes Senior, Joseph, - Age 12, Coupler, Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Shaw, James - Age 15, Pointsman, Buried 16 December 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Shaw, Richard - Hurrier Shaw, Thomas - Lived Barnsley Shaw, William - Age 39, Volunteer Rescuer Shaw, William - Lived Dodworth Shirt, George - Age 22, Hurrier, Lived Barnsley Shirt, William - Age 13, Hurrier Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, Englan Shore, John William - Age 18, Hurrier, Buried 12 Nov 1868 at Ardsley, Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire. Simpson, David Fawcett - Age 37, Collier, Buried 9 Feb 1873 at Barnsley, Born - Halifax, Yorkshire, England Sisson, Aaron - Age 33, Collier, Buried 18 June 1868 at Ardsley, Born - Ikeston, Derbyshire, England Slater, Elijah - Age 15, Horse Driver, Buried 12 July 1868 at Monk Bretton, Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Slater, William - Age 19, Hurrier Buried 24 Jan 1869 at Monk Bretton, Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England. Slone, John - Age 27, Collier Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Lived Barnsley Smith, Alfred - Age 23, Hurrier. Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton, Lived Old Mill. Smith, Frederick - Age 23, Hurrier Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton. Lived Old Mill. Smith, George - Age, 29, Collier, Buried 28 Sep 1871 at Barnsley, Lived Sackhils Barnsley Smith, John - Age 36 Volunteer Rescuer, buried 7 Oct 1867 at Barnsley, Lived Lundhlll Smith, John - Age 47, Hurrier, Buried 25 Aug 1868 at Ardsley, Lived Hoyle Mill. Smith, Joshua - Hurrier Smith, Samuel - Volunteer Rescuer Snowden, John - Age 38, Collier, Buried 16 Aug 1868 at Monk Bretton, Lived Hoyle Mill Stead, Thomas - Volunteer Rescuer Stenton, Samuel - Age 12, Dayboy Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Stones, William - Age 24, Hurrier, Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Lived Stairfoot. Sugden, William - Age 57 Deputy/ Volunteer Rescuer, Buried 6 October 1867 at Dodworth, Born - Dodworth, Yorkshire, England Swift, Matthew - Age 25, Hurrier Born - Higham, Yorkshire, England. Syder, William - Hurrier Sykes, George - Age 31 Collier, Born - Silkstone, Yorkshire, England. Sykes, William - Age 34, Hurrier Lived Hoyle Mill Tattersall, George, - Nipper Taylor, Thomas - Age 30. Collier, Lived Old Mill Taylor William - Nipper Tewart, David - Age 35, Volunteer Rescuer, Buried 3 Oct 1867 at Ardsley, Born Durham, County Durham, England. Tewett, John - Age 28, Hurrier, Lived Barnsley Thawley, Charles - Dayman Thickett, Thompson - Age 17, Horse Driver, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Thompson, John - Age 63, Dayman Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Monk Bretton, Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Thompson, William - Age 22, Hurrier Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England. Thorley, Charles, - Age 53, Deputy Under Viewer, Born - Thurgoland, Yorkshire, England Thornley, James - Age 42, Collier Lived Hoyle Mill Thornton, Robert - Hurrier Thorpe, James - Nipper Thorpe, Joseph - Age 20, Hurrier, Buried 7 Feb 1869 at Ardsley, Born - Worsbrough, Yorkshire Thorpe, Samuel - Hurrier Timmings, Isaac - Age 26, Collier, Buried 16 Dec 1870 at Ardsley. Born - Sedgley, Staffordshire, England. Towart, David - Underground Viewer - Volunteer Tupman, George - Hurrier Walker, Joshua/Joseph - Age 16, Horse Driver, Buried 21 Nov 1868 at Monk Bretton, Born - Monk Bretton, Yorkshire, England Wall, Daniel - Age 20, Hurrier Buried 16 Dec 1870 at Ardsley Walmesley, Giles - Age 42, Dayman Buried 27 Dec. 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Walmsley, James - Age 13, Horse Driver, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Walmsley, John - Age 16, Horse Driver, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Emley, Yorkshire, England Walton, Thomas - Age 24, Collier Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Ward, John - Age 57, Collier, Buried 27 Sep 1868 at Ardsley, Born - Poynton, Cheshire, England Ward, Thomas - Age 19, Hurrier Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Watson, Joshua/Joseph - Age 30, Collier Buried 25 July 1869 at Barnsley, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Watson, William - Age 14, Horse Driver, Buried 15 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Webb, Charles - Age 28, Collier Born - Askern Yorkshire, England. Wharton, William - Age 21, Hurrier Buried 10 Jan 1869 at Ardsley, Born - Poynton, Cheshire, England Whitaker, John - Age 19, Collier. Lived Hoyle Mill Wilby, Henry, - Age 46, Hanger On, Buried 23 Dec 1866 at Ardsley, Born - Hopton, Yorkshire, England Wilkinson, Abraham - Age 19, Hurrier Born - Leeds, Yorkshire, England Wilkinson, George - Age 18, Hurrier, Buried 21 Sep 1869 at Ardsley, Born - Ardsley, Yorkshire, England Wilkinson, William - Age 28, Hurrier. Buried 20 Jan 1869 at Monk Bretton. Born - Wrenthorpe, Yorkshire, England. William, Shaw, age 39 Willies, John - Age 38, Dayman, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Long Preston, Yorkshire, England. Willowby, Henry - Dayman Wilson, John - Volunteer Rescuer, Lived Low Valley, Wombwelll Wilson, Joseph, - Age 12, Nipper, Lived Barnsley Wilson, Thomas - Age 14, Horse Driver, Buried 9 June 1868 at Ardsley, Born - Hoyle Mill, Yorkshire, England. William Wilson - Age 33 Deputy Under Viewer, Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Ardsley, Born - Norcorft, Cawthorne, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Wilson, Wiliam - Lived Barnsley. Duncombe Winter- Age 28, Collier. Buried 21 Feb 1869 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Yes Yes Yes Yes Winter, Henry - Age 22, Hurrier Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Joseph Winter - Age 21. Hurrier Buried 11 April 1869 at Barnsley. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Yes Yes Yes Yes Thomas Winter - Age 28, Collier. Buried 11 April 1859 at Barnsley,. Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Yes Yes Yes Yes William Winter - Age 17. Hurrier Born Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes John Winter - Age 32, Collier Buried 12 Nov 1868 at Barnsley, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Yes Yes Yes Yes Wood, Henry - Age 37 Collier Born - Ashton, Lancashire, England. Wood, Thomas - Age 28 Collier Born - Worsbrough, Yorkshire, England Wright, Thomas - Hurrier Wright, William - Age 30, Hurrier Buried 16 Dec 1866 at Barnsley, Born - Barnsley, Yorkshire, England

Sources

• Oaks Explosion - Wikipedia
• Oaks Disaster 1866
• Oaks Colliery Explosion 1866
• Oaks Disaster, Dearne Valley Partnership