The Mansfield Chronicle - Friday 5th April 1907
The Shirebrook
Colliery Pit-Cage Disaster
Burial of the Victims-Touching scenes at the Graveside
Never since the funeral
of the two men who were suffocated by "damp" and the fall of rood in
the head end at Warsop Main Colliery some two or three years ago has there been
an internment at the Shirebrook Cemetery with so much interest as the dual one
which took place there on Saturday, when two of the victims of the terrible fall
down the Shirebrook pit shaft were borne to their long last resting-place.
Their names were William Edward Limb, aged 45, and William Phillips, aged
27. The remains of Arthur Burton, aged 36, a native of Basford,
Notts. were interred at Bulwell the
same afternoon. Never since the
colliery was sunk has there been so many officials and workmen, out of respect,
attend the burial of those who had fallen from amongst them, notwithstanding
that a number of them visited Bulwell to represent the colliery company and
workmen at the interment of the deceased Arthur Burton.
From the colliery offices where the two corpses had been lying prior to
the funeral, they were reverently conveyed to their own homes.
The day was beautifully fine, the sun shining gloriously, and hundreds of
people congregated to witness the scenes. The
Shillibiers and mourning coaches conveying the remains and mourners of William
Phillips were met at the top of Church Drive by the Shirebrook Adult School
Prize Band, who, under the direction of Mr Fred Wakeford played with muffled
drum the Dead March in "Saul" (by Handel) to Warren Terrace, where
this procession was joined by those mourning the loss of William Limb.
The long cortege then proceeded slowly to the cemetery on the Pleasley
Road. It was an impressive and
pathetic sight. Hundreds of people
lined the road, blinds were lowered, and gentlemen removed their hats out of
respect for the sorrowing friends and their dead.
Amongst those who followed were the officials of the Shirebrook Colliery
company: Mr William Hay, general manager; Mr Thos. Thompson, secretary; Mr Geo
Thornley, under-manager; and Mr S
Buxton, Mr W Ratcliffe, Mr J. H. Smith, Mr Noah Tomlinson, Mr Mark Avery, and Mr
Joseph Carrington, deputies; with a number of fellow workmates from both
Shirebrook and Warsop Main Collieries. Representatives
of the Warsop Main Miner's Union and Checkweight Committee and the Ancient Order
of Foresters were also present.
The Chief Mourners
Were: Mrs Limb
(widow), and Mr Joseph Limb (eldest son), Mr Alfred Limb and Miss C Limb (son
and daughter), Mr Harry and Miss Florrie Limb; Mr Arthur and Miss Clara Limb; Mr
Joseph Limb (father), Master Percy Limb (son), and Mr Alfred Limb (brother),
Ilkeston; Mr Richard Limb (brother), Mansfield Woodhouse; Mrs Meakin (sister),
East Kirkby, and Mrs Wilkinson (sister), Cotmanhay; Mrs A Limb and Mrs Richard
Limb; Mr & Mrs Young, Ryhill, Yorks; Mr & Mrs Beardsley, Ilkeston; Mr
& Mrs Bagaley, Ilkeston; Mr Edwards, Sheffield, and Mrs Ward, Woodhouse nr
Sheffield; Mr Ward and Mrs Meeds, Woodhouse, Sheffield; Mr & Mrs Homer,
Shuttlewood; Mr & Mrs Brown, Mansfield Woodhouse; Mr & Mrs Roberts,
Shirebrook; Miss Clara and Miss Ada
Brown and friend, Mansfield Woodhouse; Mr
John Martin, Mr Sam Bunting, and Mr William Lucas, fellow workmen in the stall,
and Mr S Renshaw, Shirebrook Colliery.
The Bearers
Were workmates and
friends of Mr Limb. They were: Mr M
Stray, Mr T Fletcher, Mr Wm. Brittles, Mr A Fretwell, Mr Wm. Hurt, Mr A Froggatt,
Mr J Rowe, Mr Levi Hopkinson, and Mr A Jacks.
Wm. Phillip's
Mourners and Friends
Who followed: - Mrs
Phillips (widow), and Mr John Phillips (brother); Elsie, Gertrude, Harvey and
Elizabeth (children); Mr & Mrs Patrick Sweeney (sister &
brother-in-law), Miss Annie Sweeney, Miss Rose Phillips, Mr & Mrs Freeman,
Mr & Mrs Sidall.
Bearers
Mr T Lindsay,
Mr Arthur Parker, Mr Geo Taylor, Mr Thomas Hinds, Mr Thomas Kelly, and Mr John
Bolton.
The Last Rites
The deceased,
William Phillips, was buried on the consecrated portion and William Limb on the
unconsecrated portion of the cemetery. The
services in the Conformist chapel and in the Nonconformist chapel and at the
graveside were conducted by the Rev. E. Braddon, M.A.
Vicar, and the Rev. Ed. Hall, Congregationalist Minister, who conducted
the ceremonies simultaneously, amid mingled signs of grief, respect, and
sympathy.
Affecting Scenes of
the Last Farewell
Much sorrow and
emotion was manifested during the services at the graveside, one or two of the
mourners fainting and having to be carried away. Another of the relatives, it is said, wanted to jump into one
of the graves after the coffin had been lowered.
Children sobbing for their parent, widows and relatives mourning on
account of their husbands and friends, who refused to be comforted because they
were not. At length the parting
came, and it was only by efforts almost compulsory that some of the mourners
were got away from the "narrow bed" in which they had lain their dear
ones to sleep the long last sleep of rest; and then the mourners slowly and
reverently dispersed. Many of the
sympathisers and friends returned with them, while others lingered to see the
last. A sombre air pervaded the
whole of the proceedings, and the utmost respect reigned throughout the vast
concourse of people who witnessed the ceremony, many of whom were moved to
tears.
Wreaths and
Inscriptions
A large number
of beautiful wreaths, bearing the most pathetic inscriptions, were sent by the
bereaved relatives and friends as tokens of respect: -
Those to the
memory of William Limb were: -
A beautiful wreath
bearing the following inscription: "In loving remembrance, from his
sorrowing wife and family." Another,
from Mr Hay was as follows: "With
Mr Hay's deepest sympathy".
Another: "In
loving remembrance from his brother & sister, Harry & Annie."
Another: "In loving
memory, from his brother and sister, Will and Annie Mary".
Another: "With deepest sympathy, from Mrs Sam Jinks and Mrs J
Mellors". Another: "In memoriam.
Presented by the neighbours and friends as a token of respect for Wm.
Limb". "In affectionate
remembrance from Isaac and Lizzie". "With
deepest sympathy from Mrs Roberts". "With
sincere sympathy, from Father Froes and the Catholics of Shirebrook."
"In loving memory from his brother and sister, Alfred and
Louisa." "Presented by
the workmen of Shirebrook Colliery as a token of respect for William Limb, March
26th, 1907".
A most beautiful wreath, under glass shade, with hands clasped, was also sent by Mrs Phillips and family to the memory of husband and father. There was another from the workmen, with the following inscription: "Presented by the workmen of Shirebrook Colliery as a token of respect for William Phillips, March 26th 1907." And one from Mr Hay "With Mr Hay's deepest sympathy".
An appropriate
passage was read at the graveside of Wm.
Limb by Bro. W. Hutchinson, secretary of the Forester's Lodge.
When the service was
over the Adult Band played the funeral hymn "Days and moments quickly
flying" and as the procession moved from the graves the band also played
"Lead, kindly light" to the tune Sandon. Proceeding from the gates of the cemetery homewards, the band
again played the march "When the roll is called".