A Welsh Coal Mines web page

Proud Sarah

Sarah Parfitt rose early in the little terraced house,
To prepare food for Alfred, her own dearest spouse.
This she did gladly, most days at this time,
Then bid him farewell, as he left her for the mine.

But this day little Georgie her twelve year old lad,
Was starting to work, underground with his dad.
Their family was large, with another on the way,
So Sarah would be glad of the boys extra pay.

She whispered to Alfred, "look after my boy",
For he was her favourite, her bundle of joy.
With tear filled eyes, she waved them goodbye,
"Goodbye my two loves" she said with a sigh.

They lived in "Abersychan" a small valley town,
"Llanerch" was the coalmine her men had gone down.
The year was eighteen ninety, February sixth the date,
A day to remember for sadness, tragedy and ill fate.

For later that morning came a low rumbling sound,
From a massive explosion far deep underground.
The force of the blast caused the whole ground to shake,
No mercy for those who were left in its wake.

Sarah was resting, her house-work nearly done,
She couldn't stop thinking of Alfred and her son.
But her thoughts were all cloudy, their picture unclear,
"Something is wrong" she uttered, her voice full of fear.

She hurried to the pithead with the gathering crowd,
Some crying, some silent, others praying out loud.
Through the drifting smoke it was a harrowing sight,
As they waited for news of their loved ones plight.

When the smoke finally cleared, and the search had begun,
They found their two bodies, Alfred cradling his son.
One hundred and seventy six men and boys were all lost,
The price paid for coal was a terrible cost.

Sarah prayed at the graveside, and to Alfred she vowed,
I'll raise our eight children; of them you'll be proud.
Although the collieries blast had forced them to part,
The memory of her "two loves" she kept safe in her heart.


J H Smith.
Great Grandson of Sarah and Albert.