Leeds nostalgia: '˜Tragic teen killed in horseplay 70 years ago was my relative'
On Tuesday last week, we ran the tragic tale of a boy of 14, Denis Samuel Clay, who was accidentally killed when a work colleague threw an iron bar at someone else but hit him instead. We were then contacted by Michael Clay, who told us that Denis was his father, John’s (1929-1974), younger brother.
Michael, 59, said: “I had one article about the incident but I was very interested to read the Evening Post one, in particular about how my grandparents forgave the man who threw the bar. Denis was an innocent bystander.”
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Hide AdAs reported previously, Denis was working at Allerton Bywater colliery when he was killed - the man who threw the bar was committed to the Assizes.
Michael, who also worked at Allerton Bywater Colliery from 1975-1986 said Denis was buried in an unmarked grave in Allerton Bywater Church yard, adding: “He was originally missed off the miners memorial created for those killed at the pit but I managed to get him included at the last minute.”