Combs Colliery disaster: Mining memorial to remember 139 men and boys who died in 1893 pit disaster to be unveiled in Thornhill next year

139 men and boys - some as young as only 12 years of age - lost their lives in the underground explosion at the Combs Colliery on July 4, 1893.

It is one of the worst mining disasters in history, with only seven men who were working in the pit that day surviving. Of those who sadly died, nearly all were from the village of Thornhill.

Now, 132 years later, plans are firmly in place to honour those who perished in the tragedy with a memorial wheel, which is set to be unveiled in Thornhill’s Rectory Park in March 2026.

There are also plans for a memorial board, which will have the names of those miners who died and information about the disaster, as well as a book with more details of those who passed away in the pit, which will be placed in St Michael's Church.

The installation of the symbolic monument has been organised by the Thornhill Community Mining Memorial Group. The group has held numerous events - including car boot sales, afternoon teas, live brass band shows and collections at Asda - to help raise money for the half pit wheel, which has been splendidly renovated ahead of its reveal.

Diane Hinchcliffe, secretary of the Thornhill Community Mining Memorial Group, told the Reporter Series:

“It is a project which has been ongoing for a lot of years and it is really exciting we are at this point. It is just so important as, apart from a small memorial in St Michael’s churchyard, there is nothing to remember the disaster at all.

“We want to focus on the history. We hope it will bring children from the local schools and hope people will come and visit and reflect.

“There will be lots of people who have lost loved ones down the mines or they themselves have been miners. We want it to be a memorial for everyone.

“Our heritage has been forgotten. There aren’t a lot of miners left now. They're getting less and less as they’re getting older. It is important that they are not forgotten and we want people to remember the mining industry.”

The group has currently raised over £9,300 of its £12,415 fundraising target towards the installation of the wheel. To donate, visit: www.spacehive.com/thornhill-community-mining-memorial

An official unveiling ceremony for the memorial is now being planned for March, which will hopefully involve a big community gala, a brass band and a service from the local vicar.