Memorial To Those Killed In The Pretoria Pit Disaster Approx.127M North West Of St Bartholomew'S Church

This memorial, dedicated to those killed in the Pretoria Pit Disaster, is located approximately 127 meters northwest of St. Bartholomew's Church. Erected in 1910, it is made of granite, polished black marble, and cast iron. The memorial features a square granite base, a marble plinth, and a tall pedestal that bears an inscription. At the top, a cap supports a small cupola and a large urn filled with flowers. The memorial includes gilded incised lines and an inscription commemorating the 344 men and boys who lost their lives in an explosion at the Pretoria pit in Westhoughton on December 21, 1910. It also serves as a gravestone for 24 unidentified bodies. Surrounding the memorial are cast iron posts and rails. The Pretoria pit disaster is noted as the worst mining disaster in the historic county of Lancashire.