Day 61: Praying for those involved in traumatic events (1934)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 61 of 150 days of prayer.

• 'I want to live in your house for ever. I want you to keep me safe, like birds protect their babies under their wings’ (Psalm 61:4, EasyEnglish Bible). 

1934

On Saturday 22 September 1934, 266 people died in a pit disaster at Gresford. The 29 September War Cry reported on the Army’s response.

‘Within an hour of receiving the news … Major Herbert Climpson (Divisional Commander) with Adjutant Evans and Captain Lomas from Rhos Corps were at the pithead, where they found that Major Trevessor Rees (Wrexham Corps) had been the first representative of the religious bodies of the neighbourhood to offer assistance to the colliery officials…

‘Except for the comparative few who were actually involved in rescue operations, all that the Salvationists could at first do was to mingle with the crowd and offer sympathy and comfort as occasion afforded…

‘Some of the women folk had been at the pithead since 4am and, in the hope that at least a cup of tea might prove acceptable, the officers moved amongst them and a number gratefully accepted the proffered refreshment.

‘Bandmaster Young of Wrexham had been down with a rescue party since early morning, and it was with great relief that Major Climpson was able to grasp his hand at the termination of his spell of duty…

‘The colliery officials were grateful for proffered assistance and arranged to supply the Wrexham officer with a list of the entombed men and their home addresses as soon as possible…

‘On Sunday afternoon … Wrexham Corps Band went to the pithead, where a great crowd very reverently listened to hymn tunes…

‘At Rhos, where a number of stricken families reside, the officers spent Sunday morning with them…

‘At Cefn Mawr the Assistant Divisional Commander and Mrs Climpson visited the three households affected…

‘Visitation of the bereaved is being continued. Officers at Wrexham, Coedpoeth, Rhos, and Brymbo have heard and are still hearing heart-rending stories as they enter the homes. The husband of one young widow had only worked in the pit for three nights after eighteen months of unemployment. Another household has lost a father and two sons…

‘So far as is known, there is one Salvationist only among the victims, he being Brother Colin Maggs, a seventeen-year-old soldier on the Coedpoeth roll. Relatives of many people within the Army’s circle have lost their lives, and in a district of many friendly supporters, it is no exaggeration to say that the Army is greatly the poorer because of the holocaust which has sealed for the time being the Gresford Colliery.’

Prayer

• We never know when a death by accident or natural causes will affect us but we can be ready to support our corps family when this happens and be prepared to respond to local disasters, such as flooding, landslides or industrial trauma. Pray for all those affected by a traumatic event in their lives.
• Pray for those whose responsibility it is to comfort the bereaved.
• Pray for all those involved in the rescue or recovery operations associated with these traumatic events.