KEVIN Keegan’s grandfather was a hero in the West Stanley disaster of 1909 – 100 years ago in February – which devastated a community.

In all, 168 died. On one day alone, 135 funerals were held and 200,000 people lined the streets.

“It is hard to believe that there are no pits left, and in many ways that is sad,” says Keegan in his foreword.

“But at least people no longer have to work in those kind of conditions.”

Maureen Anderson comprehensively compiles the grimly fascinating stories of all the major disasters, and lists the names of those who died.