1934 - a memorable year for the Hampson grandparents

Family memories with Fay Hampson

My grandfather Herbert Hampson was Mayor of the Borough of Wrexham for the mayoral year covering 1933/34. There were three memorable events during his mayoralty.

The first was on May 18, when the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, visited the town in his capacity as patron of the National Council of Social Services. My grandfather acted as his escort and host.

Prince Edward inspected the newly built council properties in Trevanna Way. In the second photograph the Prince is reviewing Wrexham’s Scouts and Cub Scouts accompanied by my grandfather. A reception was held at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel at 1pm, after which his Royal Highness departed and my grandparents relaxed!

The second memorable event was in the summer when their elder daughter Gwen married Mr Douglas Stokes, who was also from a Wrexham family. Comparing other photographs I have of these two occasions, the crowds thronging the streets were greater for my aunt’s wedding than for HRH’s visit. However, I imagine the Prince had security keeping the crowds at bay.

The third event that occurred during grandad’s Mayoral year is the most memorable. Few Wrexhamians will have heard of the Royal visit or the Mayor’s daughter’s wedding but many will know of the Gresford colliery disaster. At 2.08am on September 22, 1934, a dreadful explosion and terrible fire ripped through the colliery situated just outside Wrexham.

Two hundred and sixty six men were killed. Eleven bodies were recovered, eight of them miners, three of them rescuers. It proved impossible to recover the bodies of the remaining men who lie entombed underground.

In 1957 my grandfather became a Freeman of the Borough of Wrexham and I quote from his citation which refers to the tragic Gresford colliery disaster and proceeds as follows: “He merits particular commendation for his prompt action in opening a fund for the relief of dependants and for his untiring efforts in the organisation and administration of that fund which was later merged with the Lord Mayor of London’s Mansion House fund at a total of £556,000. Since then he has faithfully served both the Central Committee and the Local Committee of the fund.”

That sum of £556,000 in 1934 would be worth more than £40,000,000 today.