By Emma McGordon

Last updated 10:17, Thursday, 20 March 2008

THE Vatican has ordered a copy of a book detailing the tragedy of the 1947 William Pit mining disaster.

The book – 104 Men, by Amanda Garraway – tells the story of the disaster from the point of view of those left behind.

Hayloft Publishing received an order from the Congregation for Divine Worship, part of the Roman Curia, which acts in the Pope’s name. It is the administrative apparatus of the Vatican and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church.

Hayloft company director Dawn Robertson said: “It is a great honour to have one of our books ordered by a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship.”

The book tells the story of the 1947 Whitehaven mining disaster, in which 104 men were killed, and was published as part of the 60th anniversary memorial last August.

Amanda Garraway, who was born in Whitehaven, emigrated to Canada as a child and now lives in Ontario. She keeps in contact with her home town and was inspired by the story of the disaster to seek out surviving families and friends of all the men who were killed.

Amanda tells the story of the men who died and there are more than 100 photographs of them and their families.

It took five years to gather all the information needed.

The first edition sold out before Christmas but a reprint was recently completed.

Whitehaven book seller, Michael Moon said: “It was the fastest-selling book we’ve ever stocked and on the day of book signings people were queuing up for three hours.

“This is the most important book about Whitehaven because it brings closure to families who lost loved ones.

“It is a love story, really, about those who were left behind who had to go on living as well as those who were killed.”

All royalties from the sale of the book are being donated to a Cumbrian mining history education project which is currently being set up by Cumbria County Council.

Further details about the book are available at www.hayloft.eu or from Michael Moon’s bookshop.