Conisbrough´s Royal Visit – 8 th of July, 1912
King George V and Queen Mary came to Conisbrough.
They called at the castle near the river Don.
Just across the water stood Cadeby Main Colliery,
Their visit was a happy one.
Singing, dancing and laughing.
Good-natured crowds were in jubilation
To have a visit from the King and Queen,
The monarchs of our nation.
The King admired a good deal of what he saw
As he walked around the top of the castle keep
From the town, industry, wood and farmland,
To the cattle and the grazing sheep.
Our monarch descended the castle
He walked over the lawn to the marquee.
It is here he rejoined his lovely Queen Mary
Together with their guests they enjoyed tea.
Many miners, their wives and children
Came out to welcome the royals that day.
The merriment would continue,
Until the royals went on their way.
This happy Monday now over.
The King and Queen had raised a smile.
Some miners went back to their work at the Colliery.
Some miners stayed out of work for a while.
As time moves on into tomorrow,
Who is to know what tomorrow may bring.
Till then it´s good night and God bless to everyone
God save the Queen and King.
By Stephen C. Pratt
Former Miner at Cadeby Main Colliery, Conisbrough, South Yorkshire.
Cadeby Main Colliery Disaster – 9 th of July, 1912
It was the early hours of the morning
As the Dearne Valley lay calm and still,
When a terrible explosion rocked Cadeby Main Colliery.
The alarm was raised and the pit´s siren let out a shrill.
37 miners worked the colliery´s south district
to keep their families clothed and fed.
35 miners paid their terrible price for coal,
now 35 miners were dead.
The rescue teams came quickly,
But little were they to know,
Some hours later that morning –
A crowning blast would follow.
The second explosion engulfed the rescuers
A roof fall and gas killed 53 more.
If it were not for the Conisbrough royal visit.
The death toll could easily have doubled that score.
King George V and Queen Mary came to the Cadeby Main Colliery,
Where 88 miners had died.
There were estimated 80,000 mourners
Even our dear Queen Mary cried.
Three more men it is said died later
The final death toll rose to 91.
We shall never forget any miner killed by tragedy,
As we pray for them all everyone.
R.I.P
By Stephen C. Pratt
Former miner at Cadeby Main Colliery, Conisbrough, South Yorkshire. In loving memory of the miners and rescuers
Who lost their lives in the terrible explosion
In health and strength they left their home,
not thinking death so near:
It please the Lord to bid them come
And in his sight appear
Death to them short warning gave
Therefore be careful how you live
Prepare in time, make no delay,
For who made know their dying day.
In prime of life they were cut down,
no longer could they stay;
because it was the saviours will,
To call them hence away.
They have gone – a grave has received them
Twas Jesus who called them away;
they have gone to the Lord who redeemed them
from night to the splendour of day