1973 – CHARLES LEONARD SISSONS, Road Repairer, 43

Charles Leonard Sissons of 79 Grangewood Road, Chesterfield had worked at Markham for eight years, moving there when Holmewood Pit closed.  An accident which crushed his thumb meant he had to give up work on the coal face and he took a job as a road repairer.  He was the grandson of Charles William Beddingham who was crushed by tubs at Markham Colliery in November 1930.  His nephew, James Reddish, was badly injured in the disaster.  Charles left his widow Elizabeth, daughters Carol aged fifteen, Lynda aged twelve and son Anthony aged four. Charles was buried at Boythorpe cemetery. 

Charles was commemorated on 22nd September 2016. The location of the artwork can be found in zone 19 on the trail map which can be downloaded here.

Information collated from Derbyshire Times article and research by Sandra Struggles

Charles Leonard Sissons

Road repairer, aged 43 years, of 79 Grangewood rd, Chesterfield.

Charles had worked at Markham for eight years, moving there when Holmewood Pit closed. An accident which crushed his thumb meant he had to give up work on the coal face and he took a job as a road repairer.

He did not want to go to work on that Monday, the day of the disaster, because he was still in shock from the tragic death of his friend at Markham. Stanley Young, who died from being hit on the head when a heavy rock support gave way only a few days before, and Monday was the day of his funeral. In the end Charles went to work.

Charles was married and left his widow Elizabeth, daughters Carol aged 15, Lynda aged 12 and son Anthony aged 4.

Charles was buried at Boythorpe cemetery. His nephew, James Reddish, was badly injured in the disaster.

He was the grandson of Charles William Beddingham who was crushed by tubs at Markham Colliery in November 1930. The inquest on the death of Charles William Beddingham is on the Inquests Page.

More information to follow

Further Information

Markham Colliery 1973 disaster

List of miners killed in the 1973 disaster.

If you have any information to contribute to the research please contact us.