the top of the cage, shouted to him and he responded. A second later, he saw the body of Harris pass him towards the bottom of the pit. He continued to slide down the guide rope to which he was clinging and at the bottom of the shaft found the body of his comrade on the sump planks. How Harris got knocked off the top of the cage he did not know, but surmised that the recoil of the broken signal rope, or something else, caught and knocked him off the landing point. He did not know how he himself got knocked off. The coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

The Funeral   The funeral, which was a military one, was one of the largest and most representative that has ever left the village. Deceased was a discharged soldier. His eldest son, Gilbert, is in the Army, and was at Brussels at the time of his father's death. A telegram was dispatched to him, but unfortunately he arrived home a day late for the funeral. The deceased was a member of the local fire brigade, to which duties he was devoted, holding the rank of sergeant. He was also a member of the R.A.O.B. After a short service at a house, conducted by the Vicar, the cortege, headed by the Fochriw Brass Band, Police Sergeant Williams, Discharged Soldiers and Sailors (under the command of Sergeant W. J. Jones), the Fochriw Fire Brigade (under Lieut. W. J. Payne), the Pontlottyn Fire Brigade (Lieut. E. Robson), the Tirphil Fire Brigade (Lieut. Turk), members of the R.A.O.B., and the general public, proceeded to St. Mary's Church where the service was conducted by the Vicar, and Rev. Gilbert Williams, vicar of Pontlottyn. They also officiated at the graveside. After the service the organist played the "Dead March." Rev. Gilbert Williams conducted the R.A.O.B. service. The chief mourners were: Master Harold Harris, son; Messrs. William Thatcher, son-in-law, J. E. Jones, brother-in-law, J. H. Harris, Victor Davies, Charles Wall, Morgan Morgans, Thomas Webb, Frank Jones, Rees Lewis, William Bevan, Fred Wootten, cousins. Great sympathy is extended to the widow and nine children in their sad bereavement, and to other members of the family.

5 June 1920  
A Dead Hero - Mr. Tom Harris, Aelybryn: Allowance to Family and Memorial Certificate from the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust    As reported in these columns on January 6th, 1919, an accident occurred at the Guest Keen Colliery, Fochriw, which resulted in the death of a pitman, Mr. Tom Harris, Aelybryn. It may be recalled that the knocker broke, and the deceased's fellow pitman, Mr. Wyndham Edwards, was knocked off the top of the cage into the pit, but succeeded in gripping a guide. He shouted to Harris, who was in safety, to let him know where he was suspended, saying he could not hold on much longer. The next thing, Edwards saw Harris's lamp and body passing him. He presumed that Harris lost his grip of the guide rope in trying to effect the rescue of his fellow pitman. This is the sequel. The matter was taken up by Mr. Fred J. Wotten, and reported to the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust. The trustees of this fund have decided to place the name of the deceased on their role of heroes, in recognition of his heroic action. In addition, they unanimously agreed to grant his widow an allowance of 20 shillings weekly for herself, and 3s. 6d. weekly in respect of each of her three children under 14 years of age, together with a memorial certificate.

25 March 1922   

Fatal Accident   A fatal accident occurred at Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds’ Fochriw No.2 Colliery on Tuesday morning, whereby Mr. Edward Prosser, Dowlais, met his death in the course of his employment. the pit ceased work when the sad news was made known. Deceased was well respected amongst his fellow workers. He had been on active service all through the war.