A local man is researching an accident that took place in Manton in May 1924, and is hoping to find descendants of the men involved on the centenary of the event.

Mike Esbester, the local gent who is researching the hundred-year-old incident, explained: "On 24 May 1924, a railway worker was filling lamps with oil near the Manton tunnel entrance when there was an explosion. Four colleagues working nearby rushed to help, but as they did so, a second explosion occured. Two men died, and the other three were injured."

Mike is hopeful that relatives of the individuals involved might still be in the area, and is keen to talk to them about future involvement in remembering the incident.

He added: "I'm researching the accident at the moment, in the hopes of marking the centenary this year. I'd be keen to find any descendants of the men involved, to ensure they know about the accident and to see if it is possible to involve them in remembering the incident."

The men were:

• John Thomas Cockerill (1860-1924): lived in Wing in 1921
• William Henry Hibbert (1867-1924): lived in Peterborough in 1921
• Richard Shillaker (bn. 1863): lived in Manton in 1921.
• John George Buckby (bn. 1841): lived in Wing in 1921.
• Thomas Shillacock (bn. 1879) lived in Manton in 1911

Both Richard Shillaker and John George Buckby were injured in the incident.

Mike concluded: "In the hopes that some descendants might still be in the area, I'm putting the appeal out here - I'd love to see if anyone from the men's families are still in the area. I can be contacted through the website of the Railway Work, Life & Death project, which I co-lead, or via email: [email protected]."

"Thanks in advance for your help and support."

You can also help Mike by sharing this article in local groups and spreading the word about his intriguing local study across Rutland and Peterborough.