Story
George Simpson was born in Barwick-in Elmet on 22nd December 1874, and was the fifth child of ten children born to Joseph Simpson (1840-1897) and Theresa Carr (1846-1921). Theresa was originally from Micklefield, and married Joseph in Garforth on 3rd May 1863. The couple lived most of their lives in Garforth.
In 1891, George was living with his parents and most of his siblings, and had started work as a Blacksmith’s Striker. On 30th April 1896, George was 21 years-old and was working at Peckfield Colliery as brakesman and engineman, along with Arthur Simpson, who was not a close relative. He left his home at 1 Beech Avenue at 6:05am, and when he arrived at Peckfield Colliery, George took up his position at the pit bottom, at the top of the No.1 Rise Bord, near William Radford’s Office. He was killed, along with Arthur Simpson as the fire tore through the stables and the offices and made its way up the Main Shaft. The force of the explosion blew George’s watch from him, and it was subsequently found in the sump at the pit bottom on Thursday 7th May.
George was found dead at his post by Robert Routledge’s rescue party, and his body was brought out of the pit between 3 and 6am on the 1st May. He was identified by his older sister, Esther Simpson, a dressmaker, who lived with George at the family home of 1 Beech Avenue, Garforth. Esther stated that her brother had received a deep cut on his chin when she identified him at 7:30am in the Colliery Shed.
George was buried in Garforth on 3rd May.
30th April 1896. The Peckfield Colliery Disaster at Micklefield 