1938 – Keller, Leonard

Source: Derbyshire Times

1938 – LEONARD KELLER, Belt Turner, 26

Leonard Keller of 15 South Street, New Whittington, had been married for three years, with a first baby born only three weeks prior to the disaster and christened a week prior.  A native of Eckington, Keller was a keen cyclist, being captain and secretary of the old Eckington Blue Bird Cycling Club.  He was buried at Eckington.

Leonard was commemorated on the 29th May 2019. The location of the artwork can be found in zone 18 on the trail map which can be downloaded here.

 

Derbyshire Times 13th May 1938

Leonard Keller (26), 15, South Street, New Whittington, had been married for three years. The happy event of their first baby, born three weeks ago and christened last Sunday, emphasises the sorrow of the young wife. Keller, after receiving shock in the last disaster in January 1937, said he would never go down the pit again, but like most miners his fears were soon forgotten, Recently he had hopes of securing employment as a motor driver. A native of Eckington, where his parents still live, Keller was formerly a keen cyclist, being captain and secretary of the old Eckington Blue Bird Cycling Club. Later he became a motorist, and had arranged to take another of the dead men, Colin Gee-Pemberton, of Renishaw, to Skegmess in a week’s time.

A year after the disaster, family members placed several In Memoriam notices in the Derbyshire Times.

KELLER –Treasured memories of LEONARD KELLER a dear husband and father, who fell asleep in Markham Pit Disaster. May 10th 1938.

For both of us he did best

Grant him, O Lord, eternal rest

                                                –    From Sylvia and Baby Alan

 

KELLER– To the memory of our dear son and brother, LEONARD, formerly of Eckington, who died in the Markham Colliery Disaster May 10th 1938.

“Ever in our Thoughts”

                                                                          –      From Mother, Dad, Brothers and Sisters.

 

Further information can be downloaded here.

Leonard Keller.

Leonard Keller family tree.

Other Information

Markham Colliery 1938 disaster

List of miners killed and injured in the 1938 disaster

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