Thornley Colliery

1834, Jan 29 - The first seam of coal, 3 feet 9 inches in thickness, was won at Thornley colliery, the property of Sir William Chaytor, Bart. and partners, The depth was 72 yards.

1837, Jan 30 - Two pitmen, named Storey and Surtees, in consequence of a wager, undertook to hew coals against each other at Thornley. The wager was won by Storey, who hewed 33½ tubs of 20 pecks each, and Surtees 30 tubs ; the former being 10 tons 1 cwt, and the latter 9 tones. The time of working was eight hours, and the amount of earnings, according to the price paid for hewing, was - Storey, 11s 2d ; Surtees, 10s. From the hardness of the seam, the feat was supposed to be unprecedented.

1840, Mar 21 - The Thornley Coal company (co. of Durham) completed a sinking to a seam of coal never before worked in the district. It lies at a distance of eighty fathoms below the five-quarter seam, and turned out to be of first-rate quality, closely resembling the Hutton seam, in the neighbourhood, and is four feet in thickness. The discovery of this seam is of great importance, not only to the owners of this colliery, but to all the neighbouring collieries and to the country generally, affording, as there is reason to believe, a supply of excellent fuel for several generations.

1842 - A boring was put down below the thill of the Five Quarter Seam in the south-west district of Thornley Colliery, to prove the High Main Seam.

1870 - A holing was made in the Main Coal Seam between Thornley and Wheatley Hill Collieries.

1875, May 08 - Surface operations destroyed by fire

1877 - Original Hartlepool Collieries Co. bankrupt but continue

1880 - Five Quarter seam abandoned

1884 - Original Hartlepool Collieries Co. finally collapsed, shaft filled in

1934 - Five Quarter seam abandoned

1940 - Brockwell seam abandoned

1957 - Main Coal 'G' seam abandoned

1958 - Harvey 'N' seam abandoned

1963 - Top Hutton 'L1' seam abandoned

1965 - Hutton 'L2' seam abandoned

1969 - Low Main 'J' seam abandoned

1970 - Busty or Tilley ('P'), Bottom Busty ('Q2') seams abandoned

Adamson, Frederick, 27 May 1914, aged 21, Wagon Runner, deceased was found between the last buffer of a set of 10 wagons which he had braked down and secured, and the first buffer of a set of 10 wagons, none of the brakes of which were down; it is not known how he got there

Anderson, Herbert, 08 Jan 1931, (accident: 03 Jan 1931), aged 22, Putter, kicked by pony

Archbold, William, 19 Nov 1860, aged 12, Mason, killed by a fall of stone

Archer, W., 25 Jun 1940, aged 43, Sawer (Temp.), caught by saw

Armstrong, G., 07 Feb 1867, aged 12, Door Keeper, killed by a set of tubs in engine plane while getting off; riding contrary to orders

Armstrong, John, 05 Aug 1841, aged 15, Putter, killed in the 1841 explosion, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe [More information ...]

Armstrong, Robert, 29 Sep 1864, aged 14, Pony Putter, killed by a fall of stone

Arnold, James, 17 Dec 1912, aged 16, Driver, with other drivers he was standing at the inbye end of the landing waiting for the empty set; a set of full tubs was standing ready to go out; when the empty set came in it was derailed at the points by some loose stone and fouled the standing full set pushing it down the handing; the main rope between the ways, set swinging by the derailment, knocked the lad under the full tubs as they were pushed back; when an empty set is entering a landing in which a full set is standing, it is highly desirable that persons and horses should be kept at a safe distance from the inbye end of the full set, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Atchinson, Thomas Henry, 20 Dec 1943, aged 16, Landing Lad, death from asphyxia caused through being caught under a tub of coal

Atkinson, George, 17 Oct 1940, aged 64, Overman, killed by a fall of stone

Avery, William, 01 Oct 1855, aged 14, Lamp Keeper, crushed by the cage [More information ...]

Baker, Robert Liddell, 31 May 1905, (accident: 16 May 1904), Hewer, on 16th May, 1904, a pony, in turning, knocked him down and his knee was injured; he was off work for five weeks; on 11th April he ceased working and was sent to Sedgefield Asylum, where he died on 2nd June; death due to natural causes [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Barrass, James, 10 Jul 1844, aged 11, Driver, Wagon driver James Barrass, aged 11, was riding on the shafts of one of two waggons which he was driving at Thornley Colliery on 10 July, when he fell off and both waggons ran over him and killed him.

Bates, Joseph, 26 Feb 1936, aged 31, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Beardall, Frederick, 17 Mar 1865, aged 28, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]

Bell, Brian, 03 Jan 1957, aged 16, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Bell, John, Mar 1849, aged 70, Labourer, fell over the pit heap wall, a height of 14 feet, and received such injuries as resulted in his death

Bell, William, 19 Aug 1846, aged 13, Switchkeeper, He got on a train of 12 waggons which were heading towards the shaft. When it was about 50 yards from the shaft, he fell off and was run over; he died instantly.

Bolton, John, 04 May 1880, aged 35, Collier, neck broken by a tub crushing him against the roof

Bones, George, 12 Jul 1843, aged 32 [More information ...]

Booth, Lancelot S. H., 28 Dec 1931, aged 28, Under Manager, killed by a fall of stone

Booth, William, 15 Oct 1923, (accident: 04 Jan 1921), aged 48, Stoneman, died from injuries received

Bradley, Edmund, 02 Jul 1908, aged 47, Hewer, He was taking off a lift in a broken district in the Hutton seam, when the roof fell close to the face, swinging out a prop and plank and killing him. The stone fell from a slip running parallel with the barrow way, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Bradley, Richard, 07 Feb 1852, (accident: 03 Feb 1852), aged 56, he was riding between a coal tub and a water tub towards the staple to water the railway when he slipped and fell and was crushed between the tub and the side of the pit. He was taken home and died four days later on Saturday, 7 February

Bradshaw, Kenneth, 09 Mar 1954, aged 28, fatally injured, Buried: St. Cuthberts Churchyard, Shadforth

Brady, Edward, 04 May 1855, aged 56, Pitman, he was crushed to death by a mass of stone which fell from the roof. The Durham Advertiser noted 'Brady had received orders from the overman to work on the right side of his board but had disregarded the order and worked in the opposite direction, and so caused the fall which cost him his life.'

Briggs, William, 11 Nov 1937, aged 52, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Trimdon Grange Cemetery

Broderick, William Thomas, 30 May 1910, aged 24, Shifter working as a Helper-up, Owing to the scarcity of lads, he had been sent to help up the putters, but apparently instead of doing so he had commenced to hew coals, and while so engaged he was killed by a fall of roof. The deceased had no right to hew, and his disobedience of orders cost him his life, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Broughton, J., 11 Jul 1947, (accident: 02 Jul 1947), aged 26, Putter, struck by conveyor set

Brown, John, 14 Mar 1853, (accident: 22 Feb 1853), aged 16, he had been leading a rolley when a large stone fell from the side of the rolley way and crushed him. He was taken home and lingered until 14 March

Bunting, Robert Milburn, 29 Jul 1898, aged 19, Hangeron, after putting a tub into the cage he signalled for it to be taken away, and for some unknown reason he attempted to cross the staple bottom and was caught by the descending cage, and so seriously injured, that he died shortly afterwards, Buried: St. John's Churchyard/Cemetery, Hesleden [More information ...]

Burnham, John, 15 Feb 1854, aged 47, Deputy Overman, crushing of body by stones accidentally falling from the rock

Champley, John, 10 Jun 1907, aged 21, Putter, he had just gone down the pit, and probably not being able to see, fell into the sump

Chapman, John, 08 Dec 1908, aged 42, killed in the railway goods yard

Chisholm, George, 10 Apr 1845, thrown out of the cage and fell down the shaft [More information ...]

Christopher, John, 16 Mar 1847, aged 13, he was attempting to get on a wagon laden with three full tubs of coal going along the five quarter seam in Thornley Colliery, when he slipped and fell, and his head was crushed between a tub and the wall; he was taken home, but died soon after arriving

Christopher, William, 24 Jun 1854, (accident: 21 Apr 1854), aged 14, tried to get in cage before it had stopped. Crushed between cage and flat sheet [The Durham County Advertiser - 30/06/1854]

Clarke, Edward, 25 May 1870, aged 15, Fitter, crushed between wagons on colliery branch

Conway, Thomas Henry, 13 Jul 1930, aged 21, Horse Keeper, fell down shaft

Copeland, George, 05 Feb 1915, (accident: 04 Dec 1914), aged 56, Checkweighman, he died on 5th February at Durham County Hospital, on 4th December last, he had fallen through a trap door while crossing the pit heap; a post mortem examination showed that he died from cancer, and the accident had nothing to do with his death

Cosgrove, Robert, 12 Jul 1843, aged 39 [More information ...]

Craggs, Benjamin C., Feb 1923, (accident: 15 Jan 1916), aged 66, He was injured by a fall of stone in January 1916, and had not worked since; he died as a result of the injury in February 1923 [DC: 09 Feb 1923]

Craggs, Ralph, 22 Feb 1926, aged 19, Putter, he was killed by a fall of stone, both he and his pony were completely buried by the fall

Crawford, Thomas William, 17 Jul 1942, aged 45, Puller up, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Thornley Cemetery

Curtis, James, 11 Jul 1861, aged 14, Pony Driver, crushed by falling before his tub

Daley, William, 19 Mar 1868, aged 22, Hewer, crushed by fall of stone in a broken jud

Davis, Richard, 16 Jan 1900, aged 58, Timber Drawer, He was drawing a jud when a stone fell from roof and killed him.

Davis, Samuel, 14 Jan 1936, (accident: 26 Feb 1935), aged 56, Stoneman, slipped, Buried: Thornley Cemetery

Davison, Joseph, 29 May 1945, aged 34, Cutter, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Thornley Cemetery

Day, Thomas Rankin, 10 Dec 1925, he was crushed to death by some timber lying near the colliery; he and two other lads came out of the pit at the end of their shift and were making their way home along the colliery railway when Day went on the timber lying at the side, when he reached the end of the tree trunks he fell, then two trunks began to roll and fell on him with fatal consequences

Dent, William, 28 Jul 1903, aged 34, x14, died from injuries received in the mine on 10th January, 1900, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley

Diall, Thomas, 02 Dec 1858, aged 63, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Divine, John, 16 Dec 1854, aged 17, found in the D Pit crushed between a laden tub and the pit side. [The Durham County Advertiser - 22/12/1854]

Downison, Peter, 27 Oct 1868, aged 15, Driver, by machinery

Dowson, Thomas Oswald, 29 Sep 1909, (accident: 21 Nov 1908), aged 14, Driver, He attempted to get out of a cage at bank after it had been rapped away. He was caught by the cage and had his thigh broken. He died on 29th September 1909 from tuberculosis the result of the accident

Drennan, James Henry, 17 Nov 1939, (accident: 18 Oct 1936), aged 52, killed by a fall of stone

Duffy, William, 18 Jan 1878, aged 35, Fireman, explosion of No. 1 boiler in Low Main seam, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley [More information ...]

Dunleavey, Thomas, 21 Sep 1923, (accident: 29 Oct 1917), aged 64, he was injured by a shot on 29 October 1917; he was operated on at Sunderland Infirmary and a small pebble was found lodged behind his shin bone; he had not worked since the accident and died on 21 Sept 1923; in the opinion of Dr. Russell, who carried out the post mortem, "death was due to cancer of the liver and stomach, accelerated by the accident"

Dunnett, J., 03 Feb 1947, (accident: 16 Jun 1924), aged 49, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Ebdale, Joseph, 03 May 1916, aged 33, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Egglestop, John, 26 Aug 1869, aged 31, Joiner, his fore-finger was injured and lockjaw set in

Elliot, Norman Sidney, 04 Nov 1937, aged 16, Driver, crushed, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard/Cemetery, Wingate

Elliott, George, 10 Jul 1858, aged 9, [Not employed], not employed on colliery ; watching cattle

Elliott, Robert, 08 Sep 1863, aged 40, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]

Elwick, John, 04 Aug 1853, (accident: 29 Jul 1853), aged 42, Deputy Overman, was drawing timber in the D Pit when two planks and a part of the roof fell upon him. [The Durham Chronicle - 05/08/1853], Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley

Evans, Peter, 17 Apr 1874, aged 14, Driver, crushed between tub and plank

Ferguson, James, 18 Jan 1856, aged boy, he had been playing near the coal washing machine when he was knocked down by an empty coal waggon

Ferry, Robert William, 17 May 1910, aged 25, Joiner, He was engaged with others in lifting a coil of wire rope out of a railway truck by means of a hand crane mounted on a bogie. The load was raised by two men at each handle until it was clear of the truck side. The men then pushed the crane-jib to swing it round. It was generally stiff, but on this occasion it turned very easily, and the momentum of the weight (about two tons) as it swung out overturned the bogie, and all four men were thrown off. The balance weight broke from its fastenings and fell on to Ferry's head. The bogie was provided with clips to fasten it down to the rails, but they had not been attached, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery [More information ...]

Fleming, John, 10 Nov 1933, (accident: 22 Jan 1881), aged 74

Fleming, Martin, 13 Sep 1883, aged 16, Driver, on coming outbye his horse swerved to one side and drew a prop, which brought down some stone, striking him on the head, inflicting such wounds that he bled to death before he could be got out of the pit

Forster, Robert, 30 Dec 1872, aged 60, Shaftman, crushed by a fly wheel

Foster, William, 12 Mar 1848, (accident: 02 Mar 1848), aged 57, was crushed to death by a large stone falling from the roof

Fulcher, Russell Eric, 27 Mar 1968, aged 42, crushed by a girder

Gardner, John, 05 Aug 1841, aged 17, Putter, killed in the 1841 explosion, brother of Robert, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe [More information ...]

Gardner, Robert, 05 Aug 1841, aged 9, Trapper, killed in the 1841 explosion, brother of John, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe [More information ...]

Gibson, John Thomas, 20 Nov 1919, (accident: 12 Sep 1919), aged 46, Banksman, he was injured at work and complained of pain in his left side; death was due to 'a peritoneal abscess, accelerated by the strain received while following his employment'

Gleghorn, William, 18 Jan 1912, aged 17, Shaft Lad, he was going into the cage to assist with some tubs at the request of the onsetter, when it was raised and he was thrown out and fell into the sump which was full of water; his body was not recovered for an hour; on this case all signals had to be transmitted from the onsetter to the banksman; the banksman contended he got a signal by rapper for the cage to be raised which he duly transmitted to the winding engineman; the onsetter was positive he gave no such signal, and in this he was supported by another witness; probably the banksman made a mistake, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Gleghorn, William, 11 May 1932, (accident: 10 May 1932), aged 34, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Glen, Adam, 11 Sep 1868, aged 32, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Gradon, Peter, 05 Aug 1841, aged 11, Driver, killed in the 1841 explosion, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe [More information ...]

Graham, George, 05 Aug 1841, aged 11, Putter, killed in the 1841 explosion, brother of John, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe [More information ...]

Graham, John, 05 Aug 1841, aged 16, Putter, killed in the 1841 explosion, brother of George, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe [More information ...]

Greener, Norman, 20 Feb 1967, aged 17, Buried: Thornley Cemetery

Hagan, Michael, 19 Jul 1871, Horse Keeper, kicked by a pony

Hall, Edward, 30 Aug 1957, aged 48, killed at Thornley although he worked at Shotton, he had been one of the rescuers at the 1951 Easington Disaster, Buried: Parish Burial Ground, Shotton Colliery

Hall, George, 23 Jul 1849, (accident: 22 Jul 1849), aged 39, he was carrying lime and stones to masons who were building a stopping in the Hutton Seam; he was about to send an empty tub to bank, but the cage had been drawn away and he accidentally fell 21 fathoms to the bottom of the shaft; he died at home the next day

Hall, Thomas, 05 Aug 1841, aged 17, Putter, killed in the 1841 explosion, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe [More information ...]

Harbron, John, 17 Aug 1846, aged 18, was crushed to death by a large stone falling from the roof on 17 August

Hargreaves, Frederick Samuel, 01 Oct 1917, aged 52, killed by a fall of stone, address: 12, Eight Street, High Wheatley Hill, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Hastings, Thomas, 29 Nov 1880, aged 22, Collier, fall of stone from between two slips

Haswell, Thomas, 05 Aug 1841, aged 42, Hewer, killed in the 1841 explosion, left a wife and seven children, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe [More information ...]

Heale, William Henry, 22 Apr 1950, aged 25, died from injuries received, Buried: Thornley Cemetery

Heard, Joseph, 19 Oct 1878, aged 58, Labourer, run over by a wagon under screens while descending apparatus hole

Heppel, Richard, 14 May 1863, aged 44, Railway Man, crushed by tubs in engine plane

Herron, Joseph Edmund Robson, 04 Oct 1937, aged 43, Filler, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Trimdon Grange Cemetery

Hewitson, Matthew, 23 Aug 1865, aged 48, Rapper Man, explosion of fire damp in the downcast shaft, Buried: St. Cuthbert's Churchyard, Shadforth [More information ...]

Hodgson, John, 22 Sep 1904, aged 15, Landing Minder, He was sitting on a full tub in a landing and on an empty engine set coming in it jumped the way and in attempting to get into a refuge hole he was caught and fatally injured by the first tub

Hood, Alfred, 25 Jul 1914, aged 54, Shaftman, Deceased was being raised from the bottom of a shaft, 170 fathoms deep and 15 feet diameter, on a flat cradle, filling about one-third of the shaft area. His mate stood at one end and he at the other to keep the cradle from catching the shaft wall. This could be done with one hand, but his mate, feeling the cradle turning, looked round and saw deceased had both hands against the shaft side, and in consequence was pushing the cradle into the pit. He fell through the space into the shaft bottom 30 feet below, and was instantly killed. Safety belts are provided, but were not used., Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley [More information ...]

Hope, James, 12 Dec 1866, aged 39, Branch Driver, crushed by wagon

House, William, 13 Feb 1861, aged 16, Coupler, killed by a fall of stone

Howe, Robert, 14 Mar 1946, aged 70, Buried: Thornley Cemetery

Hutchinson, Edward Thompson, 15 May 1933, aged 23, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Hutchinson, John, 27 Nov 1858, aged 20, fell 30 feet from screening machinery to railway below, severely fractured skull causing death. [The Durham Chronicle - 03/12/1858]

Hutchinson, Robert, 17 Nov 1870, aged 53, Coke Ovens, run over by waggons

Hutchinson, Thomas Darwin, 06 Jul 1952, aged 44, Shaftman, fell down the shaft and was killed, he had been head shaftman for 10 years

Iveson, George, 02 Jun 1944, aged 21, Putter, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Thornley Cemetery

Jobling, Albert E., 21 May 1928, aged 41, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Jolly, James, 17 Jun 1854, aged 12, Horse Driver, riding on rolleys which ran backwards down an incline. Fell off, was severely cut across his bowels and died. [The Durham County Advertiser - 23/06/1854]

Jones, John Edward, 02 Jan 1926, (accident: 09 Apr 1922), aged 64, Stoneman, right knee severely injured, Buried: St. Cuthbert's Churchyard, Shadforth

Jones, Norris, 11 Jun 1921, (accident: 09 Oct 1918), aged 37, Hewer, fractured spine

Kegan, Charles, 1840, aged 21, Pitman, fell down the shaft by the rope breaking [approximate date]

Kelly, William, 06 May 1949, aged 37, drowned, address: Wheatley Terrace, Wheatley Hill, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery [More information ...]

Kerr, Robert, 09 Aug 1848, aged 35, Enginewright, he was with other men repairing the main engine of Thornley Colliery and whilst in act of warning one of his fellow workmen of the slipping of a ladder, was struck by the engine beam, which descended upon him, and crushed him against the spring beams; he was severely injured, and died on Friday night last

Kirk, William, 10 Dec 1891, aged 67, Shifter, took a fit while following his work, and died as soon as he was got home (ventilation all right)

Knox, Henry, 18 Dec 1860, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Lamb, Curry, 21 Sep 1844, aged 12, Driver, On 21 September, rolley driver Curry Lamb, 12, was critically injured at the 'A' Pit, Thornley Colliery. He had been "in charge of two rollies, laden with tubs of coal, which were drawn by a horse : as he came into the shaft siding he got off his rolley on which he had been riding and was crushed between the last of some empty tubs which were standing in the shaft siding and the first of the full ones." He died a few minutes after being taken home

Lamb, Jacob, 15 Jan 1878, aged 46, Collier, thigh broken by a fall of roof, died on the 22nd

Lamb, John, 22 Jan 1878, aged 45, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley

Lark, Joseph, 17 Apr 1923, aged 36, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Laughren, James, 06 May 1864, (accident: 23 Apr 1864), aged 30, Hewer, explosion of gas [More information ...]

Law, Ida Elizabeth, 10 Jul 1905, (accident: 08 Jul 1905), aged 3½, [Not Employed], strayed on railway, about 400 yards from Colliery, was run down by loco. and left arm cut off below elbow, died on 10th July, 1905. Daughter of Richard Law, a banksman at the colliery [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Lawrence, Jesse Henry Joseph, 06 Jun 1924, (accident: 14 Nov 1923, 11.30 a.m., 6th hour of shift), aged 44, Stoneman, After two shots had been fired in a face top canch, deceased set a prop with a long cap as a temporary support to the main roof. Later, when preparing to set a baulk, he found that the cap was in the way. The deputy was in the place at the time and both men considered that the prop and headtree could be withdrawn in safety. Deceased withdrew the prop with a hammer and a large stone fell from the roof and severely injured his spine. He died about 7 months later. The withdrawal of the prop by means of a safety appliance would have prevented the accident, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley

Lawson, Thomas, 30 Mar 1863, aged 50, Hewer, crushed in shaft between cage and bottom

Lister, Joseph, 25 Jun 1852, aged 12, Rolley Driver, riding on a laden rolley, drawn by a horse, fell from his seat and crushed by the rolley resting upon him. [The Durham County Advertiser - 02/07/1852]

Lister, Thomas, 19 Aug 1861, aged 22, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Lowes, Arthur Benjamin, 28 Jun 1915, aged 20, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Lowther, George, 08 Mar 1861, aged 33, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Lowther, J. D., 1960, (approximate date)

Lye, Frank, 06 Jun 1976, aged 16, [Not employed], accidentally killed at Thornley mineshaft, he was bird nesting on the head gear and fell down the shaft, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Machan, Henry, 07 Jan 1860, aged 14, Putter, riding in tub, crushed between tub and plank on the roof. [The Durham Chronicle - 13/01/1860]

Mason, Robert, 29 Mar 1862, aged 62, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone

Mather, John William, 31 May 1922, aged 34, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard/Cemetery, Wingate

Maudling, James, 28 Jul 1864, aged 62, Overman, crushed by tubs in engine plane, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley

McGourk, Joseph, 16 Sep 1883, (accident: 12 Jun 1883), aged 17, Driver, crushed between the roof and a tub

McGraham, Edward, 18 Dec 1861, aged 25, Hewer, crushed by tubs in engine plane

McMannus, George, 25 Aug 1914, (accident: 24 Jul 1914), aged 17, Putter, deceased was, with assistance, pushing a empty tub uphill towards the face, when he slipped his foot and fell heavily on his left knee; on 30th July he was sent to a hospital, where he died on 25th August from blood poisoning set up by the injury received in the pit, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley

Melvin, James, 08 Sep 1863, aged 12, Trapper, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]

Miller, Edward, 18 Jan 1878, aged 45, Onsetter, explosion of No. 1 boiler in Low Main seam, Buried: St. Cuthbert's Churchyard, Shadforth on 21 Jan 1878 [More information ...]

Mitchell, Andrew Cuthbertson, 20 Nov 1919, (accident: 11 Nov 1919), aged 33, Stoneman, while working in the west district of the Harvey Seam his spine was fractured by a fall of stone as he took down a top canch, he later died in hospital

Mole, Thomas, 25 Sep 1927, (accident: 09 Sep 1927), aged 32, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Monaghan, Edward, 25 Aug 1922, (accident: 20 May 1920), Stoneman, injured by a fall of stone on 30 May 1920; at n inquest held on 25th August 1922 the cause of death was given as pneumonia, accelerated by the accident

Mullen, Patrick, 17 Mar 1865, aged 25, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]

Murray, G. S., 29 Nov 1937, aged 53, Labourer, strain

Nattress, Robert, 12 May 1919, aged 34, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Nelson, Robert, 22 Sep 1936, aged 18, Landing Lad, crushed between tubs, Buried: Thornley Cemetery

Nicholson, Ralph, 30 Dec 1856, aged 66, run over and killed by a set of tubs while walking up an inclined plane. [The Durham County Advertiser - 02/01/1857]

Noon, Catherine, 30 Mar 1880, aged 20, fell into the fiery heap at Thornley Colliery and was burnt to death

Nurser, George, 30 Jul 1855, aged 11, Driver, he was driving his horse and a set of empty coal tubs in the Harvey Pit, when he was jammed between the last of the tubs and the side of the pit. It is supposed he had been improperly interfering with some lamps hanging in the rolley way, and had thus received this injury. He was dead when taken to bank

O'Brien, William, 18 Oct 1864, aged 13, Tramway Cleaner, crushed by tub

Olloman, John, 18 Jan 1878, aged 30, Rolleywayman, explosion of No. 1 boiler in Low Main seam, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley [More information ...]

Ord, Fred, 20 Jan 1931, aged 37, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Ord, George, 05 Aug 1841, aged 17, Flatman, killed in the 1841 explosion, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe [More information ...]

Osborne, J. W., 23 Dec 1930, (accident: 19 Nov 1930), aged 32, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Peachy, Ernest, 10 Sep 1937, aged 35, Cutter, killed by a fall of stone

Peel, James, 22 Sep 1872, (accident: 22 Aug 1872), aged 38, killed by a fall of stone

Perkins, John, 30 Jan 1931, aged 64, Drawer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Potts, Edward, 22 Aug 1853, (accident: 03 Aug 1853), aged 15, crushed between the rolley wheel and the side of the way [The Durham Chronicle - 26/08/1853]

Pringle, James Robert, 03 Mar 1941, (accident: 26 Dec 1940), aged 55, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Thornley Cemetery

Purvis, Matthew, 06 May 1949, aged 43, drowned, address: Second Street, Wheatley Hill, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery [More information ...]

Race, W., 11 Oct 1854, aged 22, oiling the drawing engine whilst the engine was in motion, slipped, severely crushed about head and left foot, dead when released. [The Durham County Advertiser - 20/10/1854]

Redshaw, John Hudson, 18 Jun 1919, (accident: 26 Dec 1911), aged 33, Hewer, he was injured by a fall of stone on 26th December 1911, while hewing coal, he died in June 1919 from septic poisoning following injury to the spinal column caused by the accident

Rice, John, 20 Mar 1901, aged 16, Staple Top Boy, he was improperly riding on the cage top from Hutton to Low Main Seam, when by some means his head caught the timber at the top of the staple and the blow was so severe that he died at once [More information ...]

Richardson, Gardner, 30 Jul 1850, aged 14, Rolley Driver, crushed to death against a wall; his body was found under the rolley, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley

Richardson, George William, 02 Sep 1945, aged 39, Buried: Thornley Cemetery

Richardson, John, 27 Dec 1862, aged 15, Horse Keeper, scalded by water from underground boiler

Richardson, Robert, 24 May 1924, aged 16, Landing Lad, returned home from work complaining of being sick and having head pains; he died shortly afterwards; death was due to heart failure [Date of Inquest]

Riley, George, 11 Mar 1845, aged 28, Was crushed to death by a stone while working in the "broken" of the Harvey seam at Thornley Colliery. The stone, which was 9 foot long, 4 foot broad and about 2 foot thick, was estimated to weigh four tons

Robert, William, 30 Oct 1873, aged 34, Onsetter, fell from a mid-working to bottom of shaft

Robinson, James, 15 Nov 1916, aged 54, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Robinson, John, 03 Oct 1857, John Robinson and Thomas Johnson were walking up a self-acting incline in Thornley Five Quarter Pit, when they were caught by two rolleys laden with tubs of coals coming down. Robinson was so severely crushed that he died an hour after being taken home

Robinson, Thomas, 10 Oct 1917, aged 20, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley

Robson, A. E., 30 Jan 1948, (accident: 15 Oct 1947), aged 60, Datal, pneumoconiosis

Robson, Matthew, 05 Sep 1899, (accident: 04 Sep 1899), aged 29, Hewer, He had taken the bottom coal out, when the band, which is 8 inches thick, fell upon end injured his back and hip. Died the following day. [More information ...]

Robson, William, 19 Jul 1870, Putter, head crushed between props and tub

Rudd, James, 28 Dec 1932, aged 25, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: St. Cuthbert's Churchyard, Shadforth

Rudkin, Walter, 06 May 1949, aged 34, drowned, address: Eighth Street, Wheatley Hill, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery [More information ...]

Rutherford, John, 02 Oct 1934, aged 50, killed by a fall of stone

Rutherford, William, 24 May 1840, aged 11, Rolley Driver, killed by the rolleys running upon him

Scott, Joseph, 09 Apr 1860, aged 17, Putter, killed by a fall of roof

Scurfield, Thomas, 23 May 1863, aged 31, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone

Simpson, Thomas, 10 Apr 1845, thrown out of the cage and fell down the shaft [More information ...]

Soulsby, Joseph, 30 Jan 1928, aged 17, Landing Lad, run over by tubs, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley

Spencer, R., 18 Oct 1933, (accident: 17 Aug 1933), aged 38, Labourer, run over by lorry

Steward, William, 03 Nov 1858, aged 23, crushed by engine plane train of tubs

Storey, George, 14 Nov 1924, 10.20 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 22, Putter, deceased, with his pony, was taking an empty tub inbye and was riding on the limbers. When passing a point about 50 yards from the face, a large fall of side stone took place. A piece of post, 4 ft. by 3 ft. by 6 ins. thick, struck the inbye end of the tub, causing it to upend just as he was leaning over the outbye end in his endeavour to get clear. His head was crushed between the top of the tub and the roof, killing him outright. The stone fell from hidden fractures, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Summers, Mark, 20 Nov 1925, aged 18, Driver, although there were no witnesses to the accident the Coroner agreed with deputy overman Dinsley's theory that the lad has been reaching forward to get hold of the reins and had fallen forward, the front wheel of the tub passing over him

Surtees, Thomas Young, 21 Oct 1913, aged 39, Stoneman, deceased was engaged in building a pack in a longwall gateway, and apparently finding one or two props in his way, knocked them out, when a large stone fell and killed him

Swan, John, 16 Mar 1925, (accident: 11 Mar 1925), aged 20, Putter, strain, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Tate, John, 16 Jun 1854, aged 39, Hewer, while hewing coal in the Harvey Seam was crushed by a mass of stone falling from the roof. [The Durham County Advertiser - 23/06/1854]

Tate, John, 26 Aug 1894, (accident: 14 Aug 1894, 3:30 p.m., 6th hour of shift), aged 28, Hewer, Head injured by fall of stone. Died on the 26th instant

Thompson, George, 08 Jul 1905, aged 3

Thompson, William, 07 Dec 1866, aged 13, Pony Putter, crushed by tub

Thornton, John, 09 Jan 1874, aged 13, Driver, explosion of fire damp

Towland, John, 05 Jul 1928, (accident: 14 Jun 1928), aged 24, Putter, killed as a result of shot-firing, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley [More information ...]

Tunstall, James Wilson, 21 Dec 1915, aged 15, Pony Driver, He was taking four full tubs out-bye to the endless rope, when the bolt connecting the limbers to the first tub came out and the tubs ran amain. He jumped off the tubs but was badly injured and died of shock and septicemia in Durham County Hospital. At the inquest, which was held on 21 December, it was suggested that it a cotter pin had been used instead of a bolt, the accident would not have happened.

Ulatt, Henry Dixon, 11 Jan 1912, aged 23, Hewing putter, he was hewing in a place 8 yards wide; the seam was 3 feet 9 inches thick, overlaid by ramble stone 3 feet thick; the ramble was overhanging the coal for from 2 to 3 feet, and was unsupported; he had tried to get the ramble down without success, and knew it was not sound but foolishly went on working under it without supporting it in any way; a large mass afterwards fell away and killed him, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Unsworth, Owen, 28 Mar 1942, (accident: 27 Mar 1942), aged 38, Ark Waller, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Vasey, Jack, , [date unknown], Buried: St. Cuthbert's Churchyard, Shadforth

Walker, John R., 04 Jul 1960, aged 60, Datal worker, conveyor capapulted from its position under roadhead some yards outbye where it collided with him causing severe injuries from which he later died

Walker, Thomas, 12 Jul 1857, (accident: 11 Jul 1857), aged 24, Hewer, he was leaving the five quarter seam on the night of Saturday, 11 July, when a mass of coal slipped on him and severely crushed his left leg. He had been working alone at the time and lay for several hours until the next morning when deputies found him as they went to inspect the pit. He was taken home but died soon afterwards

Wallace, George, 23 Aug 1865, aged 41, Shaftman, explosion of fire damp in the downcast shaft, brother of Liddell, Buried: St. Cuthbert's Churchyard, Shadforth [More information ...]

Wallace, Liddell, 23 Aug 1865, aged 31, Shaftman, explosion of fire damp in the downcast shaft, brother of George, Buried: St. Cuthbert's Churchyard, Shadforth [More information ...]

Wallace, William James, 03 Apr 1913, aged 48, Stoneman, deceased and his mate were engaged in making height on a road where the roof was bad, and consequently balks were set close together; they had got some 7 yards done, and on the night of the accident they had taken down one balk; they did not get it reset as they had not time, but thought the place was safe; they were clearing up when suddenly the whole of their new work was swept out by a fall of roof; they had not set the balks on props at either end; in this class of work stemming pieces should always be used between balks; this was not done, or possibly the accident would not have occurred, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Waller, Robert, 24 Nov 1936, aged 36, Stoneman, shot firing accident [More information ...]

Walton, Utrick, 17 Feb 1898, aged 21, Putter/Hewer, while hewing in a place with another man a fall of roof took place, at a glassy parting, between the timber and the coal and killed him

Walton, William, 30 Jun 1921, (accident: 15 Apr 1921), aged 58, Mason, severe injury to foot by a fall of stone

Wardle, James, 16 Sep 1881, aged 15, Driver, fall of stone; two sets of tubs met and drew out some props

Waters, James, 31 Jan 1860, aged 19, Screener, crushed between two coal wagons

Watson, George, 27 Jan 1898, aged 57, Head Shaftman, he was accompanying the two men appointed by the workmen under General Rule 38, when they were examining a staple from the Main Coal to the Low Main Seam; while they were preparing to go down the ladders, he stepped on some timber on the top of the staple, slipped, and fell a distance of 126 feet to the Low Main Seam, died about three and a half hours afterwards [More information ...]

Westerman, Charles, 12 Oct 1912, aged 56, died from injuries received, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Whysall, Isaac, 10 Nov 1904, aged 67, Waterman, when cleaning up a water level in a return a fall of stone occurred at two slips in the roof and killed him, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley

Willetts, Edward Rowbotham, 09 Feb 1901, (accident: 08 Feb 1901), aged 15, Apparatus Boy, after his work was done he was walking down the sidings on his way home, and passing a switch lever, the handle flew over and knocked him under some moving loaded trucks and severed one of his legs below the knee; died the following day

Williams, Andrew, 17 Mar 1903, aged 47, Waggonwayman, alleged to have died from the effects of an injury, but death was due to natural causes

Williams, Joseph, 08 Oct 1921, (accident: 02 Jun 1918), aged 41, Hewer, tuberculosis

Williams, Thomas Frederick, 30 Dec 1935, aged 20, Datal, caught by tubs, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery

Wilson, John, 02 Jun 1846, aged 14, Driver, He either fell or was thrown off a train of waggons he was driving. The wheels of one waggon passed over his head, fracturing his skull and causing his death

Wilson, Robert, 18 Jan 1878, aged 17, Landing Man, explosion of No. 1 boiler in Low Main seam, Buried: St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Thornley [More information ...]

Wilson, William, 26 Oct 1899, aged 33, Hewer, A fall of top coal occurred, and so severely injured his head that he died immediately., Buried: St. John's Churchyard/Cemetery, Hesleden [More information ...]

Winter, Harry, 08 Dec 1908, aged 55, killed in the railway goods yard

Wright, William, 15 Jul 1895, 1:30 a.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 55, Stoneman, travelling along a longwall face, he by some means got under a shot, which exploded, and was killed by the displaced stone, Buried: St. Cuthbert's Churchyard, Shadforth

Wright, William Ward, 14 Apr 1924, [Not Employed], "Death by asphyxia, caused by deadly sulphuric acid fumes whilst asleep on a burning stone heap at Thornley Colliery" was the verdict returned into his death; he was employed as a labourer on houses being built for Easington District Council, and had gone to sleep on the pit heap, and was found dead on the morning of 14 April, his face, hands and arms were charred

Yates, Thomas, 01 May 1859, aged 36, Onsetter, fell part of way down shaft (main coal) [More information ...]