Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 04 November 1892

Strange Death at Wombwell

The Body to be Exhumed.

An order has been issued to the “minister, churchwardens, and the constables of the parish of Wombwell, in the County of York,” ordering them to cause the body of Charles Drewery, who died, and was buried the middle of August, to be exhumed, that an inquest may be held upon it.

The case is a remarkable one, and it has caused a good deal of enquiry and no little excited talk amongst the miners of Wombwell and the district, ever since the death took place. On the 13th of August last appeared in this journal, notified the fact that Charles Drewery, pit labourer, of School street, Wombwell, 32 year of age, had died as he was on his way home from his work at the Mitchell  Main Colliery on the previous day. He bad asked leave from the deputy to go home, and had called at a house in Mitchell’s terrace, and died there. The body was taken home and the facts, far as they were then known, were reported to the Coroner (Mr. D. Wightman), who, on the case put before him decided that no inquest was necessary, and the body was interred at Wombwell Cemetery on the 15th August.

The friends of the deceased were not satisfied, however, and his wife stating that he was quite well when he went to his work on the morning of his death further inquiry was asked for. It was said that his thumb had been “trapped ” whilst at work the pit, but his friends alleged that there were discolourations about the body, which suggested more extensive injuries The miners took up the matter, and Mr. B. Pickard, M. P., on their behalf, entered into communication with the Home Secretary on the matter. The matter has also been before the Council of the Yorkshire Miner’s Association, and resolutions condemning the coroner’s action have been passed by that body.

On the part of friends of the deceased sad the miners it is elated that the deceased must have been injured by an accident; but whether such accident occurred, or whether anyone really knows et the occurrence of any accident, remains to be seen.

The coroner (Mr. Wightman) has ordered the exhumation the body, and the inquest will be held today at the Ship Inn, Wombwell.