Meg’s own tribute to children in Hall disaster

A former Sunderland woman has held her own commemoration for the 183 children who died in the Victoria Hall disaster.

Today marks 137 years since the disaster in which the children were crushed in the stampede for free toys during a show at the Victoria Hall.

Meg Hartford, 72, said she wanted to remember the children who died and also commemorate a relative who played an important role in helping many more children to safety.

Meg has special reason to pay tribute as her great-greatuncle Frederick Graham was the caretaker who did his utmost to save as many lives as he could.

He tried but failed to remove the bolt on the door. He then cut through another way and diverted hundreds more children through the previously closed dress circle door.

In 1884, a ceremony was held in which the Mayor, Alderman John Wright Wayman, presented a marble clock to Frederick “for his efforts in saving life”.

But in response to the speeches that day, Frederick said “no man regretted more the circumstances which brought it about”.

Frederick was also presented with two medals and a purse of gold but Meg said: “I think he was badly affected by the tragedy and eventually left and took employment elsewhere’.

Meg, who was born in Sunderland and went to Bede Grammar School for Girls, felt it was important to hold the children and Frederick in her thoughts and said she and a friend exchanged a few words in memory.

Meg added: “I am determined to keep up the memory for all the children who died.”