Lost grave found

Sue Coults had searched for years for the final resting-place of her great grandfather William Chaytor, 55, who died with his workmate John Rodgers, 57, in the 1909 explosion.

But now the Northern Echo has discovered the burial records of Mr Chaytor, one of 168 men and boys who died in the tragedy, after trawling through records in Durham City's County Hall.

The corpses of the two men were not discovered until 1933 and the pair were eventually buried after an inquest.

Family folk lore and myths surround the discovery of the two men, most of which can now be disregarded after reports from the time were unearthed.

But one story recounted by Mrs Coults, of Burnhope near Stanley has turned out to be true.

The mystery of the missing gold of John Rodgers, a good Catholic but a gambling man, was well recorded at the time.

Rodgers always carried his savings around with him in a money belt.

It was estimated 30 in gold, a lot of money in 1909 and even 1933, was being carried by the miner who, like Chaytor, would have survived if he hadn't agreed to an overtime shift.

But when the bodies were finally discovered by Bob Clipperton and Edward Burdon, working in the Busty seam, the money had disappeared.

Other stories passed down to the Coults family and others over the generations, including that the pair were perfectly formed until oxygen disintegrated the bodies upon discovery and that a sixpence William Chaytor kept for a post-work pint was the only method of identification, have proven false.

But the Northern Echo has been able to pass on fresh information to the family - including William's final resting place.

"I've asked a lot of people over the years where my great-granddad lay, my grandmother never much talked about and the information had been lost really," said Sue Coults.

"I was always drawn to the area where the mass burial trenches are supposed to be in the old cemetery and I always felt he was there somewhere but I'm delighted to finally know where he is."

Burial records show that Mr Chaytor was buried in Stanley's then new burial ground. Mrs Coults now plans to inspect maps of the cemetery to locate the exact burial place.

Other information unearthed includes newpaper reports of the final burials which recounts how just a handful of people attended Mr Chaytor's funeral and just one person, Mr Rodgers' son, the other internment at St Joseph's RC Church in Stanley.

Further details discovered include a letter from a Northern Echo reader whose husband was with Mr Chaytor's son the day the bodies were found, accounts from the men who discovered the bodies, the testimony at the inquest from the sons of the two men and the fact that a kneeling stool was dedicated to Mr Chaytor's memory by his widow.

The Northern Echo with others is trying to locate exactly where each of the victims are buried and is campaigning to mark the mass burial trenches with a simple tribute. Anyone who wishes to support the campaign or has information is asked to call Chris Webber on (01207) 280613.