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The Duchess of York at the Abercynon Colliery, South Wales
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The Duchess of York at the Abercynon Colliery, South Wales
The Duchess of York at the Abercynon Colliery, South Wales - she is being shown a Davy Safety lamp (and how it works) by one of the miners Date: 1933
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Media ID 18071847
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
1933 Colliery Davy Demonstrated Demonstrates Demonstration Duchess Mine Pit Head Royals Shown Elizabeth Pithead
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative black-and-white photograph from 1933, the Duchess of York, later to become Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, pays a visit to Abercynon Colliery in South Wales. The Duchess, who was the wife of the future King George VI and the mother of the current Queen Elizabeth II, is seen at the pithead, where she is being shown a Davy Safety Lamp by one of the miners. Dressed in a stylish fur coat and hat, the Duchess looks intently at the miner as he explains the workings of the lamp, which was an essential piece of equipment for ensuring the safety of miners in coal mines. The Davy Safety Lamp, named after its inventor Sir Humphry Davy, was designed to prevent the build-up of explosive gases in coal mines by continuously burning off any methane that accumulated. The photograph captures a moment of connection between the Duchess and the miner, as they engage in a shared learning experience. The Duchess's visit to the colliery was part of a wider effort to raise awareness of the conditions and challenges faced by miners and their families, as well as to demonstrate the support of the royal family for the working class during the 1930s. This photograph is a poignant reminder of a time when the monarchy played a more active role in the lives of ordinary people, and when the challenges of industrial work were a daily reality for many. The image also serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of the mining community, who continued to work in often dangerous conditions to provide for their families and contribute to the economic well-being of the nation.
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