Home / War and Conflict / Village Unveils Plaque for Lost WWII Miners
Village Unveils Plaque for Lost WWII Miners
8 Jun
Summary
- A plaque now honors 15 miners lost in World War Two.
- The discovery involved a 30-year search and a chance conversation.
- Relatives and schoolchildren attended the unveiling ceremony.
A poignant memorial has been established in a former pit village, honoring fifteen miners who perished during World War Two. For thirty years, Chris Wray of the Burradon and Camperdown Community Association tirelessly worked to identify these "forgotten sons" to create a fitting tribute.
The mystery surrounding the miners' identities was finally resolved through a chance conversation with a local resident. She possessed a list of the men, meticulously compiled over time by the St John's Parish History Society. This breakthrough allowed for the creation of the commemorative plaque.
Relatives of the fallen miners, alongside community members and children from the village primary school, attended a special assembly for the unveiling. The ceremony was deeply emotional, with descendants expressing pride and acknowledging the immense sacrifice made by those remembered on the plaque. Money for the memorial was raised through community efforts.
