2^nd June 1951

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Silent Village Lays Pit Disaster Victims To Rest

For almost an hour this morning the only sound to be heard in the 50-yeat-old village of Easington Colliery was the rhythmic tread of feet and the solemn notes of the "Dead March" as a mile-long procession accompanied the coffins of 19 victims of the Easington pit disaster to their communal grave.

Thousands of miners and their families lined the route from the colliery yard to the cemetery where a communal grave had been prepared near the war memorial. The cortege was headed by the new, heavily draped banner of Easington Miners’ Lodge which was only unfurled a year ago, the band of Easington Colliery Miners’ Lodge and Easington Public Band.

The route from the entrance of the quiet little hillside cemetery to the graveside was lined by officials of the N.C.B., N.U.M., and the miners’ lodges. Above the open grave fluttered a Union Jack at half mast.

After the coffins had been laid to rest relations of the disaster victims attended burial services in the churches of the various denominations, and later they returned to the graveside where representatives of the churches performed the last rites.

The blinds of every house were drawn, and as a token of respect the shops in the village closed for the remainder of the day. Sporting activities came to a standstill, and cricket and bowling league matches were cancelled.

Among those who attended the ceremony in the cemetery was Mr. Emmanuel Shinwell, M.P., Minister for Defence.

In a statement this morning Mr. H. E. Collins, Divisional Production Director of the N.C.B., said that steady progress was being made by rescue teams in Easington Colliery. The fresh air base was now within 350 yards of the coal face where the remaining 44 men are believed to be.

Thirty-nine of the 83 victims have so far been accounted for.

The Minister of Fuel has directed Sir Andrew Melkie Bryan, Chief Inspector of Mines, to hold a formal investigation in the causes and circumstances of the disaster. The date will be announced later. It will be held in open court.

Within 24 hours of Ald. William Harvey opening the Mayor of Sunderland’s Easington Colliery Disaster Fund, the total this morning had already reached £159 13s.

Donations received were: The Mayor and Mayoress, £5; Fulwell Community Association, £10 10s.; Mayfair Products Ltd., £100; Sir Myers Wayman, £10; Mrs. E. Dobbing, £1; Mr. And Mrs. Bob Wood £2 2s.; Mr. Nicholas Prior, £5; Ald. P. F. Smith, £1 1s.; and the Wearside Furnishing Stores Ltd., £25.