A COURAGEOUS miner who rushed to help colleagues in the Gresford Colliery Disaster has celebrated his 100th birthday.
A big party for family and friends was held for popular resident Eddie Edwards at Ashleigh Court care home in Gresford.
Mr Edwards devoted most of his working life to the mining industry. He was based at Gresford Colliery when the disaster struck in 1934, but was not working at the time of the explosion.
However, when news of the tragedy broke, Mr Edwards didn’t hesitate – he raced to the colliery determined to help his fellow miners.
Mr Edwards’ nephew Eric Williams, 75, from Llwyn Onn in Wrexham, said: “He volunteered to help straight away and quickly cycled to the colliery on his bike to assist with the rescue operations that were being conducted.”
Mr Edwards served as a mining fitter at Tanyfron, Southsea, Gresford and Bersham. In the last few years before his retirement he was employed at the steelworks in Shotton.
Mr Edwards was a gifted writer who used to enjoy composing poetry and prose.
“He is a remarkable God-fearing man who still likes to have a chat, particularly about the old days in the mines,” said Mr Williams.
“Although he doesn’t follow any particular team he is interested in football and continues to do the pools.
“After retirement he spent a lot of time hill walking and even when he was 70 managed to reach the top of Snowdon.”
Mr Edwards is a widower. His wife Dorothy – affectionately known as Doff – died some years ago. He has two daughters: Eluned, who lives in Rhosnesni, and Margaret, who lives near Melbourne in Australia, but has come back home to celebrate her father’s landmark birthday.
Mr Williams added: “He is on good form and looks very smart. Up until November last year he was living independently in Cefn Road.”