| Administrative History | On 10 May 1938 an explosion at Markham Colliery near Bolsover resulted in the deaths of 79 coalminers. The 79 men left 62 widows and 83 children, together with other dependants. The scale of the disaster was such that an appeal for funds was immediately launched, led by the Mayor of Chesterfield and the Chairman of Staveley Urban District Council. Contributions totalling over £51,000 were received from all over the country and donors included the Royal Family.
A trust was established to administer these monies and financial support continued to be provided to beneficiaries until the death on 23 January 2001 of the last 1938 Markham Colliery Disaster widow, Mary Jane Bradford, aged 95. The Disaster Fund was then wound up and remaining assets transferred to the North Derbyshire Miners' Welfare Fund. As well as providing assistance to individuals, including for educational purposes, the Disaster Fund also supported the maintenance of the victims' communal graves in Duckmanton cemetery and Barlborough churchyard. |
| Custodial History | These records were donated by the former Fund Secretary to Derbyshire Record Office in November 2004 |