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Loading cement for sealing up the fiery grave of 4 men left in the Strongman mine.1967.
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DescriptionNote 'Kinsey RIP' on side of hopper. (George Kinsey was killed but not entombed in the mine). 19 miners killed."
Heather Newby.. This is what Dad said about the funeral. "They bulldozed a big hole in the ground and brought all the miners out. I was standing there that day with some really big miners and it wasn't only rain on their faces that day. It was one of the saddest things I have ever witnessed."
Grey District Library John Charlton photo collection.Date of Photo1967Map[1] ContributorHeather Newby
Heather Newby.. This is what Dad said about the funeral. "They bulldozed a big hole in the ground and brought all the miners out. I was standing there that day with some really big miners and it wasn't only rain on their faces that day. It was one of the saddest things I have ever witnessed."
Grey District Library John Charlton photo collection.Date of Photo1967Map[1] ContributorHeather Newby
Shown in this image
Location (city or town)GreymouthPersonGeorge KinseyOrganisation (eg business)Strongman MineEventStrongman Mine Disaster
Category Information
Category TagCoal Mining
From Facebook
CommentsWendy Cross That is my father,a very sad day.
30 May 2014 at 21:23 · Like · 1
Heather Newby This is what Dad said about the funeral. "They bulldozed a big hole in the ground and brought all the miners out. I was standing there that day with some really big miners and it wasn't only rain on their faces that day. It was one of the saddest things I have ever witnessed,'' .He knew them all. Just a few weeks earlier he went back to work in the Dobson mine which had been idle for two years because the mine was flooded to quell an underground fire.A few of his mates chose to stay at Strongman, A few days before the explosion, one of his mates put him in a friendly hammerlock and said"Newby.. you should have stayed at Strongman with us!",,, a few days later his mates were gone.
30 May 2014 at 21:27 · Edited · Like
Heather Newby Every time we take him to the cemetery he walks past the Strongman section and tells me all about the guys there.
30 May 2014 at 21:28 · Like
Heather Newby Wendy Cross which one is your father?
30 May 2014 at 21:30 · Like
Wendy Cross George Kinsey
30 May 2014 at 21:32 · Like
Heather Newby Really sorry to hear that. Wendy.Dad would have known him
30 May 2014 at 21:34 · Like
Alison Mbc Heart breaking. My parents and I were away on holiday when the Strongman Mine Disaster occurred and, no debate, we returned to the Coast immediately.
30 May 2014 at 21:49 · Like · 1
Nicola Bourke My grandfather died at Strongman.
31 May 2014 at 10:53 · Like
Heather Newby Yes,, Eddie Bourke ,Dad knew him well. Sad.
31 May 2014 at 11:07 · Like · 1
Judy Smolen A very sad day
31 May 2014 at 17:20 · Like · 1
Janet Leeks My uncle Robert Maughan ( Archie ) was killed at Strongman.
1 June 2014 at 02:51 · Like
Wendy Cross I knew Archie well,he was a really lovely guy
1 June 2014 at 09:37 · Like · 1
Heather Newby I go and visit the Strongman graves with dad twice a year when I go down to Greymouth.Dad walks with me alongside the graves and tells me all about each man.
1 June 2014 at 11:30 · Like · 2
Tracey Campbell Archie was my uncle he was married to my Aunty Marie
4 June 2014 at 22:18 · Like · 1
Wendy Cross Tracey was your mother Collen
4 June 2014 at 23:36 · Like · 1
Janet Leeks Hi Tracey, I guess we are related,my Dad Ken Russell and Archie Maughans mum was my nana Edna Maughan. I remember Marie , in fact I used to babysit her kids. Small world !!
5 June 2014 at 00:32 · Like · 2
Tracey Campbell Yes Wendy
Tracey Campbell Very small world Brent Kim and Kerry the children
Wendy Cross Collen was a good friend of mine growing up in Cobden How is she,give her my regards
Tracey Campbell Mums good living in Rangiora nw They loved the place when visiting me so they moved over
Sarah Lowe
My Grandad (Robert Clark) worker in the mine that day but thankfully made it out. I've always wanted to read more about it, are there any good books anyone can reccomend?
· Reply ·
· 16h
Craig Smith
RIP guys
· Reply ·
· 16h
Annie Van Looy
There was only two missing not bought out by mines rescue they were Kenneth Errol Moore and Dudley John Robinson
· Reply ·
· 16h
Lesley Thomas
Annie Van Looy agree, only 2 as far as I can remember
· Reply ·
· 16h
Lesley Thomas
Annie Van Looy After 15 bodies were recovered on the day of the explosion, it took another three weeks to retrieve two more. The last two men could not be recovered and the tunnel was sealed off. Five men involved in the rescue received the British Emp… See more
· Reply ·
· 16h
Annie Van Looy
I'm sorry if this offends anyone but this was my dad and lots of family's that it effected terribly so when you say move on to the pike family's think about it, if it was one of yours
May be an image of indoor and text that says 'Hugh Francis O'DONNELL NAMES OF CASUALTIES-continued Occupation KILLED Miner .of James PRESCOTT SMITH TRUKAWKA 18 Jan Trucker burning including 60 30 inside Shiftman Trucker and AlfredJoseph Joseph WATSON William John WILLIAMS with 33 32 Miner Trucker Burning Kenneth Errol MOORE injury 45 Dudley John ROBINSON Shiftman MISSING PRESUMED KILLED Miner Body located. Probable of death, multiple injuries buried heavy fallo stone. Body located. Probable death, injuries when buried heavy fal ofstone and coal. /bbe/DEX W Pi W BunoA S” Counsel STRON'
· Reply ·
· 15h
Annie Van Looy
May be an image of text that says 'MweaPlan PLANS APPENDICES Causes Death oC Section DVPLOSIONS BBLIOGRAPHY MINE remnowddn Report Fire- hazardMining NAMES Occupation Augustus BOURKE COGHLAN.. CUST Trucker Gause Death William Jack OHNS George William KINSEY FOSTER-LYNAM injuries poisoning. inside Deputy-shot Multiple the mouth and Deputy-shot Miner Robert Archibald MAUGHAN arms. head. Trucker James MOUNTFORD Hector McKENZIE Miner and 26 Carbon Alan NEWCOMBE Winchman Carbon monoxide 42 poisoning. Extensive burns Miner arms, including inside passages. mouth poisoning. Burns from the right sid the head, right arm, and left'
Jean Keenan
RIP.
Cathy Howat
Some of my fathers friends among them
Monica Harvey
A very sad time
Naireen Bass
The mine model made for the inquiry is at the Reefton School of Mines.
Josephine Wesley
Remember the day well so many family's lost loved ones. My dad Johnny Dundon an Jimmy Marshall were inconsable as were many that worked the Strongman mine. RIP
Peter A Richardson
Josephine Wesley My Dad Morrie Richardson worked there he lost alot of work mates and friends that day R.I.P
Peter Moore
A very sad day .As a young boy on the Coast. I knew some girls whos dad was lost.I'll never forget it.R.I.P ALL.
Wayne Leckie
Will never ever forget that day R I P guys
Roanne Troost
RIP grandad. George Kinsey
Al Pentecost
RIP George Kinsey and the boys.
Tori Tremain Kinsey
RIP George Kinsey (great great grandfather)
Rae Woods
was at rununga primary school that day, a lot of friends fathers were in the mine. sad, sad, day for everyone. R.I.P
Ann-Maree Duncan
I thought only 2 left in Greens section ?
Lynn Turnbull
Ann-Maree Duncan yes i thought only 2 left inside x
Paul Tomlinson
My wife lost an uncle here.
Vern Pattinson
Very sad time
30 May 2014 at 21:23 · Like · 1
Heather Newby This is what Dad said about the funeral. "They bulldozed a big hole in the ground and brought all the miners out. I was standing there that day with some really big miners and it wasn't only rain on their faces that day. It was one of the saddest things I have ever witnessed,'' .He knew them all. Just a few weeks earlier he went back to work in the Dobson mine which had been idle for two years because the mine was flooded to quell an underground fire.A few of his mates chose to stay at Strongman, A few days before the explosion, one of his mates put him in a friendly hammerlock and said"Newby.. you should have stayed at Strongman with us!",,, a few days later his mates were gone.
30 May 2014 at 21:27 · Edited · Like
Heather Newby Every time we take him to the cemetery he walks past the Strongman section and tells me all about the guys there.
30 May 2014 at 21:28 · Like
Heather Newby Wendy Cross which one is your father?
30 May 2014 at 21:30 · Like
Wendy Cross George Kinsey
30 May 2014 at 21:32 · Like
Heather Newby Really sorry to hear that. Wendy.Dad would have known him
30 May 2014 at 21:34 · Like
Alison Mbc Heart breaking. My parents and I were away on holiday when the Strongman Mine Disaster occurred and, no debate, we returned to the Coast immediately.
30 May 2014 at 21:49 · Like · 1
Nicola Bourke My grandfather died at Strongman.
31 May 2014 at 10:53 · Like
Heather Newby Yes,, Eddie Bourke ,Dad knew him well. Sad.
31 May 2014 at 11:07 · Like · 1
Judy Smolen A very sad day
31 May 2014 at 17:20 · Like · 1
Janet Leeks My uncle Robert Maughan ( Archie ) was killed at Strongman.
1 June 2014 at 02:51 · Like
Wendy Cross I knew Archie well,he was a really lovely guy
1 June 2014 at 09:37 · Like · 1
Heather Newby I go and visit the Strongman graves with dad twice a year when I go down to Greymouth.Dad walks with me alongside the graves and tells me all about each man.
1 June 2014 at 11:30 · Like · 2
Tracey Campbell Archie was my uncle he was married to my Aunty Marie
4 June 2014 at 22:18 · Like · 1
Wendy Cross Tracey was your mother Collen
4 June 2014 at 23:36 · Like · 1
Janet Leeks Hi Tracey, I guess we are related,my Dad Ken Russell and Archie Maughans mum was my nana Edna Maughan. I remember Marie , in fact I used to babysit her kids. Small world !!
5 June 2014 at 00:32 · Like · 2
Tracey Campbell Yes Wendy
Tracey Campbell Very small world Brent Kim and Kerry the children
Wendy Cross Collen was a good friend of mine growing up in Cobden How is she,give her my regards
Tracey Campbell Mums good living in Rangiora nw They loved the place when visiting me so they moved over
Sarah Lowe
My Grandad (Robert Clark) worker in the mine that day but thankfully made it out. I've always wanted to read more about it, are there any good books anyone can reccomend?
· Reply ·
· 16h
Craig Smith
RIP guys
· Reply ·
· 16h
Annie Van Looy
There was only two missing not bought out by mines rescue they were Kenneth Errol Moore and Dudley John Robinson
· Reply ·
· 16h
Lesley Thomas
Annie Van Looy agree, only 2 as far as I can remember
· Reply ·
· 16h
Lesley Thomas
Annie Van Looy After 15 bodies were recovered on the day of the explosion, it took another three weeks to retrieve two more. The last two men could not be recovered and the tunnel was sealed off. Five men involved in the rescue received the British Emp… See more
· Reply ·
· 16h
Annie Van Looy
I'm sorry if this offends anyone but this was my dad and lots of family's that it effected terribly so when you say move on to the pike family's think about it, if it was one of yours
May be an image of indoor and text that says 'Hugh Francis O'DONNELL NAMES OF CASUALTIES-continued Occupation KILLED Miner .of James PRESCOTT SMITH TRUKAWKA 18 Jan Trucker burning including 60 30 inside Shiftman Trucker and AlfredJoseph Joseph WATSON William John WILLIAMS with 33 32 Miner Trucker Burning Kenneth Errol MOORE injury 45 Dudley John ROBINSON Shiftman MISSING PRESUMED KILLED Miner Body located. Probable of death, multiple injuries buried heavy fallo stone. Body located. Probable death, injuries when buried heavy fal ofstone and coal. /bbe/DEX W Pi W BunoA S” Counsel STRON'
· Reply ·
· 15h
Annie Van Looy
May be an image of text that says 'MweaPlan PLANS APPENDICES Causes Death oC Section DVPLOSIONS BBLIOGRAPHY MINE remnowddn Report Fire- hazardMining NAMES Occupation Augustus BOURKE COGHLAN.. CUST Trucker Gause Death William Jack OHNS George William KINSEY FOSTER-LYNAM injuries poisoning. inside Deputy-shot Multiple the mouth and Deputy-shot Miner Robert Archibald MAUGHAN arms. head. Trucker James MOUNTFORD Hector McKENZIE Miner and 26 Carbon Alan NEWCOMBE Winchman Carbon monoxide 42 poisoning. Extensive burns Miner arms, including inside passages. mouth poisoning. Burns from the right sid the head, right arm, and left'
Jean Keenan
RIP.
Cathy Howat
Some of my fathers friends among them
Monica Harvey
A very sad time
Naireen Bass
The mine model made for the inquiry is at the Reefton School of Mines.
Josephine Wesley
Remember the day well so many family's lost loved ones. My dad Johnny Dundon an Jimmy Marshall were inconsable as were many that worked the Strongman mine. RIP
Peter A Richardson
Josephine Wesley My Dad Morrie Richardson worked there he lost alot of work mates and friends that day R.I.P
Peter Moore
A very sad day .As a young boy on the Coast. I knew some girls whos dad was lost.I'll never forget it.R.I.P ALL.
Wayne Leckie
Will never ever forget that day R I P guys
Roanne Troost
RIP grandad. George Kinsey
Al Pentecost
RIP George Kinsey and the boys.
Tori Tremain Kinsey
RIP George Kinsey (great great grandfather)
Rae Woods
was at rununga primary school that day, a lot of friends fathers were in the mine. sad, sad, day for everyone. R.I.P
Ann-Maree Duncan
I thought only 2 left in Greens section ?
Lynn Turnbull
Ann-Maree Duncan yes i thought only 2 left inside x
Paul Tomlinson
My wife lost an uncle here.
Vern Pattinson
Very sad time
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West Coast New Zealand History (7th Nov 2021). Loading cement for sealing up the fiery grave of 4 men left in the Strongman mine.1967.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 3rd May 2026 02:49, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/12537