Robert & Albert Blackett - Windy Gully Cemetery, Mt. Kembla, NSW - Graves Mentioning a Cause of Death on Waymarking.com

At 2pm on Thursday, 31 July, 1902, Mt Kembla Mine suffered the worst mining disaster in Australia’s history,when a gas explosion killed 96 men and boys. The resulting Royal Commission concluded that a roof fall in a goafed area pushed inflammable gases into contact with a wheeler’s naked lamp, triggering a series of coal dust explosions.

The disaster victims included some rescuers. At first, the great number of dead posed the immediate problem of where the bodies were to be buried. A site was chosen in Windy Gully on company donated land and a mass grave dug. Very quickly families claimed and removed their dead for burial. Of the 33 miners buried in Windy Gully Cemetery, four unclaimed bodies were buried in the mass grave on the high side of the Cemetery making Windy Gully the resting place of most of the miners killed in the explosion.

At least 32 bodies were buried in the Soldiers’ & Miners’ Anglican Church Cemetery, Mount Kembla.There were two unregistered deaths - one which is particularly poignant. Michael (Mickey) Brennan, aged 19, had begun work 4 days earlier. His body was never found - maybe his remains were buried in the mass grave. Work recommenced at Mt Kembla Mine 8 weeks later o 24th September, 1902. Many families lost the breadwinners. Some families lost all their men.

Families had to be fed and clothed. Bereaved families had to be supported. And this support came from the immediate and the wider community. Donations came from overseas, especially from Britain, where the company was based and shareholders lived. Unfortunately, the majority of the funds did not reach the widows and children.

Windy Gully Cemetery was finally consecrated 100 years later on 31st July, 2002, by Rev Gordon Bradbery, during the centenary commemoration of the disaster.

Windy Gully Cemetery is recognized as a cemetery of State significance.

Source: Self Guided Walking Tours - Walk 3. Mt. Kembla Mining Heritage Inc. (visit link)

Type of Death Listed: Accident Website (if available): [Web Link] Cause of death inscription on headstone: Not listed

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Date Logged Log   01/02/2017 Throsbyonchurch visited it