Researchers have found that more people were killed in England’s biggest ever mining disaster 150 years ago than was previously thought.

The catastrophe – which marks its 150th anniversary this year – remains the worst mining disaster in English history and its officially reported death toll has always been 361. But volunteers have now discovered the names of 383 victims.

This research project has been organised through the Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership (DVLP) which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund – thanks to National Lottery players.

The DVLP has now published its findings online and would like anyone with further information about the lives of the listed men and boys to come forward.

Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership community officer Stephen Miller said:  “We are really pleased with the outcome of this research project. The volunteers have done sterling work in identifying those killed.

“Sadly, we knew that poor record keeping and the chaos in the aftermath of the disaster meant that the exact number of people killed at Oaks Colliery has never been properly revealed and it has long been known that the figure of 361 was only based on an estimate by the mine owners.

“Our aim from the outset was to try and find a more accurate figure and find out more about the individual stories of those that died.”

DVLP put out a call for volunteers ten months ago and provided them with specialist training in studying historic records. They have now collectively spent more than 3,000 hours going through records online, at Barnsley Archives and other sources such as the Mining Institute in Newcastle.

Their rigorous research has produced a new list of 383 names, including 91 children, who died in the disaster – that’s 22 more victims. Their research has also put names to unknown fatalities within the original estimated count.

Stephen said: “It seemed wrong that after 150 years the best list we had was produced by the Barnsley Chronicle in 1867, and that only named 337 of the 361 death toll.

“Our first aim was to identify and find out about the un-named victims. The overall number was never the most important thing for us, but it was very interesting to see our list of names go beyond the 361 figure that has been accepted for so long.”

You can view the new list produced by the volunteers here. It includes fascinating new details about the men and boys’ lives, including how far they travelled from to work in the pit, coming from as far afield as Wales, London, Ireland and Northumberland.

Records of the day suggest 400 miners in total were working below ground on the day of the first explosion on December 12. A second explosion the day after killed 27 volunteer rescuers. Research into burial records has also suggested that 169 bodies were never recovered and remain in the old colliery workings beneath Hoyle Mill, Ardsley, Kendray, Monk Bretton and Stairfoot in Barnsley to this day.

Volunteer Noel Shaw said: “This research presented an unmissable opportunity to delve into the lives of those who perished and their families, whilst also working to produce a more accurate list of fatalities.

“I was surprised to see how many people travelled the length and breadth of the country to Barnsley for employment in the dangerous coal mines.

“I think I can speak for all the volunteers in saying that it has been a privilege and pleasure to contribute to this project.”

Commemorations of the Oaks Colliery Disaster will culminate in an exhibition at the Experience Barnsley museum in December this year.

The Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership is keen to hear feedback on the new list published. Please contact us on 01226 772414 or [email protected].