Wrexham marks 92nd anniversary of Gresford Colliery disaster

Wrexham is marking the 92nd anniversary of the Gresford Colliery disaster, a tragedy that claimed the lives of 266 men and boys in the early hours of September 22, 1934. An explosion in the Dennis section of the mine killed 266 people, including three members of a rescue team and one surface worker; only six men from that section survived. The bodies of 253 victims were never recovered and remain entombed underground.

Commemorative events include an annual memorial service at the Miner’s Wheel Memorial in Pandy and a candlelight vigil. The disaster had a profound impact on the region, leaving 200 widows, 800 fatherless children, and 1,600 people unemployed.

Local tributes include an exhibition titled ‘Gresford: The View from the Pitch,’ which explores the connection between the colliery community and Wrexham AFC, specifically focusing on players who participated in a match played in the shadow of the disaster.