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Crumlin Mines Rescue team, 1912.
One year after this photograph was taken this team won great acclaim for their gallant work after the Senghenydd explosion, which claimed the lives of 439 men.
The Crumlin Mines Rescue Station, the first in the coalfield was opened in 1910, for the most part six permanent staff was employed there, three qualified trainers and three assistants.
Each colliery had two rescue teams with six men in each, made up of volunteers from the colliery's workforce. They would have to undergo and pass a rigorous fitness test before their acceptance for rescue training and their fitness levels were monitored at regular intervals, making sure they would be capable of carrying the heavy rescue equipment in poor conditions if ever they were called upon.
This following information was kindly sent to me by Brian Robinson. an ex-mines rescue man.
Crumlin rescue station closed May / June 86' and at that time
2 other
stations were fully staffed, Loughor (Swansea) and Dinas
(Rhondda). Loughor
slimmed down in 89' (when I finished there) finally closing in
94, with Dinas
still going having 16 staff. Just before Crumlin the Brynmenyn
station closed
in 84'.
Other stations that have been in South Wales;
New Tredegar.
Maesteg.
Crosshands.
Swansea.
Aberaman.
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A Crumlin Mines Rescue team and the Chief training officer, Wallace Jeremiah Smith (centre) with their equipment, 1923.