A plaque commemorating the victims of the 1901 and 1913 mining disasters at the Universal Colliery in Senghenydd has been installed in Caerphilly town centre.
The plaque was installed following a bequest from a deceased local man, Mr Kenneth Arthur Williams, and takes pride of place on the pavement outside the library on the Twyn in Caerphilly.
The bronze plaque bears the inscription ‘In memory of the 440 men who lost their lives at the Universal Colliery, Senghenydd disaster on 14 October 1913 and the 81 men who lost their lives in an earlier disaster on 24 May 1901’.
The tribute came to fruition after law firm Dolmans Solicitors contacted Caerphilly County Borough Council with details of their late client, Mr Williams’ request.
A spokesperson for Dolmans Solicitors said: “On behalf of the Estate of the late Mr Kenneth Arthur Williams, Dolmans Solicitors would like to thank Caerphilly County Borough Council for the time and care they have given to Mr Williams’ request. We are sure that Mr Williams would be very grateful to the Council for ensuring that this plaque is both a dignified and fitting memorial to the men who lost their lives at the Universal Colliery, Senghenydd disasters.”
Cllr Ken James, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Sustainable Development said: “We were very pleased to be able to fulfil the late Mr Williams’ request by sourcing, overseeing the production and arranging for the installation of this impressive plaque, which provides a fitting tribute to the men and boys who lost their lives in these mining disasters.”
Last week was the 101st anniversary of the 1913 Universal Colliery mining disaster in Senghenydd, and the Aber Valley Heritage Group hosted a special memorial service at the Wales National Mining Memorial to remember those who lost their lives in the disaster.
Jack Humphreys, Chair of the Aber Valley Heritage Group, said: “I would certainly echo the sentiments that this plaque will provide a fitting tribute to those men and boys who lost their lives in these mining disasters.”