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  Whitfield Colliery  Index  Whitfield Colliery  
/ Index \

Whitfield Colliery

also known as Chatterley-Whitfield Colliery


  Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Location: Norton-in-the-Moors
5 miles [8 km] N of Stoke-on-Trent
Map Ref: (Sheet 118 Stoke-on-Trent and Macclesfield) SJ882533, 53° 4' 36" N, 2° 10' 29" W
Opened: 1838
Closed: Mar 1977
Pits: Hesketh Pit
Institute Pit
Laura Pit
Middle Pit
Platt Pit
Winstanley Pit
Owners: Chatterley-Whitfield Collieries Ltd.
Output: 1894 - Institute Pit - Coal.
1894 - Middle Pit - Coal.
1896 - Institute Pit - Coal: Gas, Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1896 - Middle Pit - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1900 - Institute Pit - Coal: Gas, Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1900 - Middle Pit - Coal: Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1905 - Coal: Gas, Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1910 - Coal: Gas, Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1915 - Coal: Gas, Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1923 - Coal: Gas, Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1933 - Coal: Gas, Household, Manufacturing, Steam.
1947 - Coal: Coking, Gas, Household, Manufacturing, Steam. (900,000 tons)
Employment: 1894 - 0 [Standing]
1894 - Institute Pit - 416
1894 - Middle Pit - 742 (517 below, 225 surface)
1896 - 0 [Standing]
1896 - Institute Pit - 646 (517 below, 129 surface)
1896 - Middle Pit - 648 (518 below, 130 surface)
1900 - 0 [Standing]
1900 - Institute Pit - 675 (512 below, 163 surface)
1900 - Middle Pit - 652 (497 below, 155 surface)
1905 - 2,391 (2,038 below, 353 surface)
1910 - 3,265 (2,757 below, 508 surface)
1915 - 3,208 (2,637 below, 571 surface)
1923 - 4,401 (3,703 below, 698 surface)
1933 - 4,598 (3,771 below, 827 surface)
1937 - 3,265 (2,536 below, 729 surface)
1940 - 3,504 (2,786 below, 718 surface)
1947 - 2,630 (2,000 below, 630 surface)
Seams Worked: 1894 - Institute Pit - Cockshead
1894 - Middle Pit - Ten Feet, Holly Lane Hard Mine
1896 - Institute Pit - Bullhurst, Cockshead
1896 - Middle Pit - Hard Mine, Holly Lane, Ten Feet
1900 - Institute Pit - Cockshead
1900 - Middle Pit - Hard Mine, Holly Lane
1905 - Bullhurst, Cockshead, Hard Min, Holly Lane, Little Row, Old Whitfield
1910 - Bullhurst, Cockshead, Hard Mine, Holly Lane
1915 - Bullhurst, Cockshead, Hard Mine, Holly Lane
Notes:

Current Status - Page under construction! and is far, far from complete!



  Description Summary Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

Description


  Disasters Summary Description Names Local Collieries Credits  

Disasters (5 or more killed)


  7th Feb 1881  Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy, 21 lives lost (Show Names)

  Names Summary Description Disasters Local Collieries Credits  

Names of those killed at this colliery

Please note that this collection of names is by no means complete!

In Memoriam
  Individal page   

Adams, Edward, 23 Feb 1891, aged 47, Collier, Fall of roof at face from a slip in Hard Mine while preparing to set timber

  Individal page CMHRC 

Adams, Ernest Percy, 02 Jun 1939, (accident: 17 Apr 1938), aged 32, Collier, Loading coal and piece fell off face and killed him. 17th April 1938. Died this day

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Adams, F. W., 05 Jun 1944, aged 28, [details unknown]

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Bailey, Isaac, 09 May 1909, (accident: 04 May 1909), aged 30, Collier, Fall of Roof. Deceased was injured by a fall of roof in the Hardmine Seam while making room for a face prop near the "buttock." He died from the injuries five days later. The fall came from three slips and a break. One slip, which was perpendicular to the face, was a small dislocation with a throw of about 2 ins. and was easily visable before the fall occurred. Deceased, in view of the presence of the visible fault slip, should have put up a temporary middle or foreset prop before continuing the removal of coal to make room for a prop at the face. Seek a prop would almost certainly have prevented the fall which only extended, in all over an area of 4 ft. 6 ins. by 5 ft. and attained a thickness of 20 ins. against the fault slip

  Individal page   

Bailey, John, 07 Feb 1881, aged 42, Dataler, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

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Bains, Thomas A., 04 Aug 1957, aged 31, Haulage, Crushed by tub [date of inquest]

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Ball, J. H., 05 Mar 1941, aged 52, [details unknown]

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Ball, T., 05 Dec 1923, [details unknown]

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Barker, Thomas, 15 Jun 1910, (accident: 10 Jun 1910), aged 40, Loader, Barker was loading at a cutting which was being taken along the face in a long-wall drift in the Cockshead past a cog left against a fall in a waste. In a break running parallel and close to the cutting was a slab of bass standing vertically and supported in the break by short pieces of wood fixed on lids crossing the break. The removal of the coal probably caused a settling of the roof, and the slab slipped down, reeled a post, and dropping on the floor rolled over and struck deceased about the hips. He was removed to the Infirmary suffering from a fracture of the pelvis. He died from the injury on June 15th

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Barlow, G. H., 05 Feb 1941, aged 47, [details unknown]

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Baskeyfield, L., 04 Jul 1941, aged 18, [details unknown]

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Beddoes, C., 19 Aug 1874, aged 30, Collier, Fall of roof

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Beech, Christopher, 07 Feb 1881, aged 49, Lampman, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

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Beech, Joseph, 07 Feb 1881, aged 22, Dataler, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

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Beio, G., 04 Feb 1959, aged 30, [details unknown]

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Beirszmicks, Karlis, 05 Dec 1966, aged 40, Development Worker, Killed by a fall of roof

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Belford, Arthur, 27 Apr 1907, (accident: 12 Apr 1907, 1.40 p.m.), aged 14, Signal boy, Deceased, for whom a special signal box or manhole was provided, had gone 140 yards up the dip to where a derailed loaded tub was being put on the rails. Another boy had come down from a station 230 yards further up. The roadman told both at the same time, to go back. When ready he had the rope started, feeling sure that both boys would be back in their places. The boy from the upper and more distant station reached his place in safety, but deceased must have loitered. A loaded tub somehow became detached from the rope, ran back and struck him, causing a cut to the foot. It was not considered serious at first, but tetanus supervened and he died on the 27th of the same month

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Berresford, William, 03 Jul 1911, aged 18, Loader, Berresford, in contravention of Special Rule 87, was riding up a dip (inclination 1 in 5) on a load attached to an endless rope. Thirty yards in front were other loads attached by an ordinary bull-dog clip. A jerk caused this clip to become detached, and the loads ran back on deceased, who was carried some yards down the dip by them

  Individal page   

Birchall, Eric, 04 Mar 1960, aged 34, Packer, Killed by a fall of roof

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Blurton, Elijah, 20 Jan 1902, aged 18, Dishmaker, On the 20th January, Elijah Blurton, a dishmaker, aged 18 years, was run over while trespassing across a private branch railway belonging to Chatterley Whitfield Collieries, Ltd. [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

  Individal page   

Boote, Arnold, 05 Feb 1963, aged 56, Surface shunter, Crushed by truck

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Booth, E., 04 Jan 1921, aged 45, [details unknown]

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Bossoms, A., 05 Dec 1936, aged 56, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Boulton, Henry, 07 Feb 1881, aged 29, Fireman, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Boulton, S., 10 Mar 1876, aged 46, Dataller, Fall of roof

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Boulton, Thomas, 21 Oct 1889, aged 21, Shunter, While climbing from one truck to another while they were in motion he slipped or fell and was caught by ash box of locomotive

  Individal page   

Brooks, A., 05 Mar 1943, aged 54, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Brooks, John, 09 Jan 1900, 5.10 p.m., aged 34, Collier, Fall of roof. He was starting to drive a flitching for a new jig from an old level in Cockshead Seam. The stone fell from the brow, which should have been spragged up A slip — one end of which might have been seen — liberated the stone when the coal under it was removed

  Individal page   

Brough, George, 05 Oct 1947, aged 20, Haulage, Crushed between two tubs

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Brown, J. A., 05 Mar 1933, aged 25, [details unknown]

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Bryan, J. H., 04 Jan 1926, aged 19, [details unknown]

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Byrne, J., 05 Jun 1939, aged 51, [details unknown]

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Camm, Horace, 20 Dec 1912, aged 19, Dataler, Deceased was killed by a runaway loaded tub in the Hardmine endless-rope haulage dip (inclination 1 in 5). He was working about 150 yards below a junction from a level. Before the occurrence scotch posts had been set as a protection from runaways. These scotch posts had been removed to allow a trolley of rails to pass and were being replaced. The load ran amain on the empty side, through the points at the junction not being turned as it was being brought back from a set of men beating up above the junction. Previously, the empty tub had been pushed up the dip over the points, and it was taken for granted that this put the points right for the return journey

  Individal page   

Car, H. H., 04 Oct 1929, aged 54, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Carroll, John, 15 Jan 1909, aged 15, Taker-off, Deceased, with other boys, was proceeding down a 200 yard length of a dip (1 in 4) worked by an endless rope, when owing to a coupling becoming detached at a landing, two wagons and a trolley of timber ran amain and overtook them. There was a good and entirely separate travelling dip, but the boys had gone down the haulage dip in the temporary absence of the man at the landing, and against the rule prohibiting travelling while the rope is in motion. From the evidence it appeared that the boys were riding down the dip on an empty wagon

  Individal page   

Cartwright, Samuel, 06 May 1880, aged 16, Horse driver, Run over by tub at bottom of jig

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Clowes, J., 04 May 1928, aged 23, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Cole, A., 04 Sep 1945, aged 22, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Cook, Harold, 04 Dec 1948, aged 30, Collier, Underground fire, Hesketh pit [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Cope, James, 01 Feb 1888, aged 50, Collier, Fall of bass

  Individal page   

Cotterell, Alfred, 20 Jun 1889, aged 45, Collier, Fall of coal at working face

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Cottonbury, Richard, 07 Feb 1881, aged 30, Collier, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Critchley, F., 05 Mar 1944, aged 30, [details unknown]

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Critchlow, Henry Gibson, 21 Oct 1912, aged 21, Assistant Hooker-on, Deceased was engaged as taker-off on the empty side of the cage, on the lower deck, at the pit bottom. After the cage had been signalled away by the hooker-on, deceased appeared to have attempted to adjust a tub on the cage, when it was raised, and he was lifted and crushed between the lower band of the cage and the edge of the upper platform, death being instantaneous

  Individal page   

Cumberbatch, Joseph, 05 Jul 1964, aged 55, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Dale, George, 07 Feb 1881, aged 33, Collier, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Dale, J., 24 Jan 1882, aged 60, Collier, Fall of coal

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Dale, Joseph, 07 Feb 1881, aged 22, Collier, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Davis, E., 22 Apr 1890, aged 37, Butty collier, Fall of coal at longwall face in Bowling Alley Seam while holing after having taken sprags out

  Individal page   

Davis, John, 07 Feb 1881, aged 46, Dataler, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Dawson, Jonathan, 28 Nov 1900, 12.15., aged 42, Timberer, Fall of roof on engine dip. He was assisting to take an electric motor down the dip, and thinking it would not pass under a certain bar, he began to cut away the under side of the bar with an axe. At the second blow the bar broke, causing a fall which killed him. The bar was of larch 9 to 10 inches in diameter, and appeared sound, but was not so at place it broke

  Individal page   

Dawson, W., 18 Dec 1883, aged 14, Pony driver, Killed by a full tub at bottom of jig whilst passing

  Individal page   

Dean, J., 24 Aug 1881, aged 47, Collier, Fall of roof

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Dean, William, 07 Feb 1881, aged 17, Jigger, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Dunning, Harold, 06 Feb 1908, (accident: 03 Feb 1908), aged 17, Horse-driver, Deceased was taking his pony up the main dip at the close of his shift and was urging it on with his voice when it kicked out and knocked him backwards. He died three days later from effusion of blood on the brain. The pony had not previously been known to kick. Deceased had not struck or abused it

  Individal page   

Dyke, F., 06 Jun 1883, aged 36, Collier, Suffocated by firedamp [More information ...]

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Eld, G. H., 05 Jun 1939, aged 30, [details unknown]

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Evanson, W. C., 05 Dec 1923, [details unknown]

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Findlay, Elijah, 08 Feb 1911, aged 17, Horse Driver, Deceased was killed instantly by a fall of top coal in a breasting level in the Cockshead seam. The level was driven 13 yards wide and supported on packs, leaving a roadway about 12 ft. wide in the centre. The bottom coal only was got, 4 ft. of top coal being left on the packs and ripped in the roadway as required to make height. The tops were up for a distance of 20 yards from the face, and Findlay was in the roadway coupling up a journey of loads, when a "goth" occurred, and, without warning, the coal fell in the road over a length of 12 yards, burying him beneath it

  Individal page   

Fletcher, James, 07 Feb 1881, aged 34, Dataler, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Ford, German, 10 Sep 1888, aged 40, Dataler, Fall of roof while ripping dip

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Frain, M., 25 Dec 1917, (accident: 05 Dec 1917), aged 47, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Gaskell, Samuel, 07 Feb 1881, aged 45, Collier, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Gibson, George, 19 Aug 1905, 11 a.m., aged 41, Collier, Fall of roof (shale) in waste at longwall face in the Holly Lane seam. It appeared probable that deceased was drawing a post in the waste by means of an axe. For this a ringer and chain should have been used and was at hand

  Individal page   

Gibson, William, 04 Jun 1967, aged 38, Face worker, Killed by a fall of roof

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Gidman, William T., 07 Feb 1881, aged 19, Jigger, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

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Goodwin, J. E., 05 Jul 1929, aged 63, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Goodwin, Richard, 30 May 1910, aged 25, Collier, Deceased was setting a sprag before commencing to hole at the face in a stall in the Holly Lane seam, when a heavy "goth" occurred and about 4 yards of coal and rock burst off the face and fell upon him. At this place the section of the seam was unusual, the roof being rock underlaid by 5 ins. of coal with a band of rock 14 ins. thick lying on the seam. On account of this band of rock two stretchers had been set from each face prop, one to the coal and one to the rock, in addition to the regular sprags. Two props with the accompanying stretchers and one sprag were thrown out by the fall

  Individal page   

Goodwin, S., 05 Jul 1929, aged 39, [details unknown]

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Gould, W., 04 Sep 1931, aged 58, [details unknown]

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Grocott, Henry, 20 Feb 1904, Noon, aged 17, Driver, Crushed by tub running down jig owing to breakage of rope

  Individal page   

Hadfield, Harry, 08 Dec 1911, aged 38, Sawyer, Deceased was on the way home from the colliery and walked along the colliery sidings between two trains standing on adjacent lines of rails. One of the trains started, and he came in contact with it and was knocked down and run over. A proper path away from the rails is provided, but on this day it was wet and stormy, and deceased probably walked between the trains to obtain shelter from the weather

  Individal page   

Hall, F., 04 Jan 1926, aged 27, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Hamlet, Levi, 06 Jul 1903, Dataller, On the 6th July, at Whitfield Colliery (North Staffordshire), Levi Hamlet, a dataller, was found unconscious on a road where he had been working, by the driver of a journey of tubs. At the inquest a doctor stated that deceased had consulted him for heart disease on the morning of the day he died, and that a post-mortem examination showed that death was due to that cause. A verdict of death from natural causes was brought in [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

  Individal page   

Hammond, Jon., 20 Jul 1900, Noon, aged 29, Collier, Fall of coal from working face (long wall) in Cockshead Seam. The coal fell from a slip knocking out three posts and struts

  Individal page   

Hancock, A., 04 Aug 1946, aged 29, [details unknown]

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Hancock, John, 02 Jan 1906, 9.30 a.m., aged 17, Taker-off, Deceased was a taker-off at the bottom of a jig on the Hardmine Level. He was run over by the first load of a journey going past his jig. How he came to be in the way is not known, as the driver was behind the journey. Just at the moment, however, there was a runaway in the jig and he may have been startled and, jumping up suddenly, probably stumbled in front of the loads

  Individal page   

Hancock, Simon, 21 Jan 1880, aged 21, Loader, Killed by fall of coal pillar

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Harding, Nehemiah, 18 May 1904, aged 72, [Not employed], On the 18th May, on a private railway connected with Whitfield Colliery, North Staffordshire, a man named Nehemiah Harding, aged 72, not employed by the colliery owners, was killed by being knocked down by a locomotive engine while crossing the railway. [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

  Individal page   

Hargreaves, H., 22 Sep 1935, Fireman, fall of roof [More information ...]

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Hargreaves, Thomas, 07 Feb 1881, aged 37, Dataler, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

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Hargreaves, Wilfred, 26 Aug 1910, aged 16, Rope runner, It was deceased's duty to accompany journeys of loads and empties attached to an endless under-rope by means of Smallman clips and travelling at about 2½ miles per hour. He started to go inbye with four empties, three of which reached the first stopping place unaccompanied but off the rails. He was found lying lying accross the empty tub road dead, with the rope running accross his neck, and the fourth load scotched against his body. It is surmised that deceased was either walking in front or riding on the first tub and fell in front of the journey. Three tubs then rode over his body, and the rope was lifted over his head, so that its pressure and motion were sufficient to sever the arteries of the neck. The road at the spot was both wide and lofty

  Individal page   

Haughton, J., 06 Jun 1883, aged 51, Collier, Suffocated by firedamp [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Haywood, Thomas, 11 Aug 1897, 8.30 a.m., aged 23, Taker off, While assisting to lift an empty waggon on to rails in jig dip, the waggon got uncoupled and ran down and crushed him

  Individal page   

Heath, George, 05 Apr 1952, aged 31, Haulage, Crushed by tubs, Hesketh Pit [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Hickin, V., 04 Dec 1938, aged 19, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Higgingson, J. W., 04 Nov 1941, aged 60, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Hilditch, Harry, 15 Dec 1937, aged 37, Fireman, shot firing accident

  Individal page   

Hillman, A., 05 Oct 1939, aged 26, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Holcroft, Arthur, 07 Feb 1881, aged 25, Dataler, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Holdcroft, C., 16 Dec 1884, aged 34, Loader, Fall of roof

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Holdcroft, G., 19 Jul 1881, aged 37, Collier, Fall of roof

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Holdcroft, Herbert, 27 Dec 1912, (accident: 23 Dec 1912), aged 60, Hooker-on, Deceased was engaged in removing a twisted bar of timber, 13 or 14 feet long by 12 inches diameter, from the cage at the bottom of the middle pit. The lower end of the bar rested in a tub on the top deck and the upper end was lashed to the bridle chains of the cage. Deceased stood upon the top of the cage, and while holding on to a bridle with his left hand, he released the lashing chain with the other hand. The bar dropped and as it fell it grazed his left arm, causing him to release his hold, and he overbalanced and fell to the scaffold below, a distance of 13 feet. He sustained a fracture of the base of the skull and never regained consciousness. He died 27th December

  Individal page   

Holdcroft, W. A., 05 Jun 1941, aged 51, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Holdencroft, John, 04 Feb 1895, aged 26, Collier, Fall of coal while he was setting a sprag at working face in 10 Feet seam

  Individal page   

Horton, P., 05 Dec 1991, aged 30, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Howell, J., 05 Jan 1937, aged 29, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Hughes, Samuel R., 04 Dec 1948, aged 38, Fireman, Underground fire, Hesketh pit [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Hulme, W., 04 Feb 1932, aged 26, [details unknown]

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Jackson, A., 04 May 1944, aged 58, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Johnson, L., 04 May 1931, aged 26, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Johnson, P., 05 Jul 1940, aged 56, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Jolly, M., 27 Feb 1886, aged 29, Timberer, Fall of roof while brushing the road

  Individal page   

Jones, Alfred, 28 Jun 1924, 12.0 noon, 6th hour of shift, aged 35, Collier, Following an extensive fall of roof at the face, which left a space to the height of 30 ft., strong timber supports, consisting of legs, bars and covering boards, were erected along the roadway to form a protective covering. The deceased person was engaged in clearing loose dirt from the floor near the edge of the timber supports, prior to building a chock, when a piece of metal estimated to weigh about 30 lbs. fell from the newly exposed roof and killed him. Electric safety hand lamps were being used, but the light from such lamps was not of sufficient intensity to admit of examination of the high roof by men standing on the floor. If an electric safety lamp giving a more intense light, such as Oldham Bull's Eye Lamp, had been used for the purpose of examination it is probable that the weakness in the roof would have been revealed and steps might have been taken to remedy the defect and so avoid the accident

  Individal page   

Jones, J., 05 Nov 1945, aged 34, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Jones, W., 23 Jan 1881, aged 20, Timberer, Fall of an arch in a level

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Jones, W. D., 04 Sep 1942, aged 59, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Joyce, W., 02 Aug 1873, Banksman, Crushed by cage at top of pit

  Individal page   

Keeling, J., 04 Feb 1943, aged 28, [details unknown]

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Kemp, R. C., 04 Jul 1935, aged 45, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Kennerley, A., 04 Jun 1917, aged 20, [details unknown]

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Lancaster, John, 30 Apr 1903, 9.10 a.m., aged 24, Loader, Fall of side (coal) at longwall face in Cockshead seam. The seam was 7 feet 6 inches thick, and a piece of coal 4 feet 6 inches by 1 foot 10 inches by 9 inches burst off the face opposite where he was loading a tub, and struck him on the head. There was a "goth" where the coal fell. Stretchers from posts were set to support the face up to the place where the accident happened, at which point the loose coal was not sufficiently removed for a post to be set

  Individal page   

Lear, S., 05 Feb 1947, aged 51, [details unknown]

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Lee, J., 04 Sep 1958, aged 31, [details unknown]

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Lockett, William, 07 Feb 1881, aged 38, Underlooker, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

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Lovatt, Harry, 16 May 1892, aged 18, Shunter, Crushed between sides of trucks while lowering truck down to screens

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Lowndes, J., 05 Apr 1938, aged 51, [details unknown]

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Massey, William, 21 Jul 1898, (accident: 19 Jul 1898, 11.30 a.m.), aged 16, Engine oiler, Fell from top to second story of engine house. Probably overbalanced himself while looking over fencing of crank. Died 21st July

  Individal page   

Mayer, Cain, 07 Feb 1881, aged 40, Engineer, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

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Mayer, T., 05 Jun 1938, aged 26, [details unknown]

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Meaking, S., 05 Dec 1940, aged 45, [details unknown]

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Mellor, Ernest, 26 Nov 1900, 2.50 p.m., aged 14, Wagoner, Crushed by tubs running back on endless rope haulage owing to clip slipping

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Miles, Robert, 07 Feb 1881, aged 60, Fireman, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Miles, T., 05 Aug 1920, aged 46, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Mills, T., 26 Mar 1870, aged 51, Banksman, Fell down shaft

  Individal page   

Moreton, Edward, 07 Feb 1881, aged 40, Fireman, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Morton, William, 07 Feb 1881, aged 16, Taker-off, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Motteram, Henry, 13 Mar 1889, (accident: 12 Mar 1889), Loader, Injured by fall of roof. Died 13th March. The collier for who he was working neglected to secure the roof, he was prosecuted for breach of rules and fined £1. 17s. 6d. including costs

  Individal page   

Mountford, Charles Edwin, 15 Aug 1924, (accident: 14 Aug 1924, 8.45 a.m., 3rd hour of shift), aged 24, Contract Collier, Deceased was employed as a contract collier in a seam 9 ft. thick. His mate was pulling a piece of coal off the face while he stood looking on. When the coal fell it knocked out a post, which, in falling, struck deceased, causing injuries from which he died the following day. Deceased ought to have stood further away and the accident would not have happened

  Individal page   

Mountford, Harold, 24 Jul 1910, (accident: 22 Jul 1910), aged 19, Loader, Mountford in the course of his work had to attend to a hand winch. At the end of the shift he was found partially helpless, and complained of having received a blow in the stomach from the handle of the winch. He died on July 24th, and a post-mortem examination showed an injury to the bowel of sufficient severity to cause death

  Individal page   

Mountford, J., 05 Nov 1962, aged 58, Collier, Haulage accident

  Individal page   

Mountford, T., 05 Jun 1918, aged 41, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Mylett, T. M., 05 Jun 1922, aged 16, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Newton, C., 04 Oct 1943, aged 41, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Newton, J., 05 Sep 1943, aged 15, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Nicholson, William G., 14 Dec 1966, (accident: 13 Dec 1966), aged 33, Packer, Injured roof fall 13th Dec, died NSRI

  Individal page   

Oaks, S., 05 Jun 1938, aged 25, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Owen, Harold, 05 May 1953, aged 60, Ripper, Buried by fall [date of inquest]

  Individal page   

Parker, H., 05 Mar 1938, aged 31, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Parker, W., 14 May 1896, (accident: 11 May 1896, 9.45 a.m.), aged 43, Labourer, Fell from pit bank on to railway a distance of 12 feet while lowering timber tram by steam crane. It was supposed that he was getting on to tram to go down with it although this was forbidden. Died 14th May

  Individal page   

Parkinson, C., 05 May 1940, aged 18, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Pate, Maurice, 04 May 1955, aged 53, Pumpman, Struck by a truck

  Individal page   

Patterson, J., 22 Jul 1859, aged 35, Collier, Fall of coal

  Individal page   

Peers, James, 26 Jan 1908, aged 40, Banksman

  Individal page   

Pemberton, James, 26 Apr 1889, (accident: 25 Mar 1889), aged 19, Driver, Crushed against a bar while riding on a full tub contrary to rule. Died 26th April

  Individal page   

Picken, John, 07 Dec 1910, aged 15, Screen-boy, This boy was employed to pick dirt from a cobble-belt on a staging over the sidings. He left his work for some purpose unknown, and was found dead on the railway under the screens about an hour and a half later. He had been run over by an empty railway wagon gravitating slowly down into its position under the shoots from the screens

  Individal page   

Pickin, A. M., 05 Dec 1916, aged 31, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Plimbley, A., 04 Oct 1917, aged 14, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Poole, Arthur, 07 Feb 1881, aged 25, Collier, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Poole, Frederick A., 04 Jun 1948, aged 36, Face worker, Killed by a fall of roof [date of inquest]

  Individal page   

Porter, J., 04 Aug 1931, (accident: 29 Dec 1930), aged 32, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Potts, James, 18 Jan 1897, 5 a.m., aged 63, Miner, Struck by locomotive engine while going to work along private branch railway

  Individal page   

Potts, Joseph, 15 Mar 1893, aged 24, Shunter, Fell in front of trucks while lowering them to screens and was run over

  Individal page   

Potts, William, jnr., 24 Apr 1912, aged 18, Screenman, Deceased placed a full tub in the screen tippler, and having released the catch, set it in motion, when he unfortunately slipped on a rail and fell into the tippler. He sustained a fracture of the skull, and died soon afterwards

  Individal page   

Rathbone, T., 05 May 1930, aged 66, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Rawlings, G. C., 04 Feb 1942, aged 17, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Roberts, Ephraim, 01 Dec 1924, (accident: 19 Aug 1924, 12.45 p.m., 7th hour of shift), aged 34, Contract Collier, On the 19th August, about 7.45 a.m., some full tubs left the rails in a jig displacing three settings of timber and causing a fall 5 yards in length. A number of men commenced to re-timber the cavity under the supervision of an underlooker and by 12.30 p.m. it had been covered in and it was considered quite safe to pass and to clear away the debris. Deceased came out of the workings on his way to the shaft and when passing over the fall a quantity of dirt came off a slip on the side of the jig beneath the timber, and in trying to avoid it he fell in between two tubs and fractured his right leg, some ribs on his right side, and his spine. He died in the infirmary on the 1st December, 1924

  Individal page   

Roden, Frank, 22 Jan 1908, aged 16, Screenboy, Deceased had apparently gone into the screen engine-house in the temporary absence of the engineman to help himself to some paraffin oil to saturate a torch with which to light himself home. He had passed under (or over) the fence, and, when handling the oil can, had come in contact with the driving pulley or rope drive. He was drawn round the pulley and killed instantly

  Individal page   

Rogers, Herbert, 10 Dec 1901, aged 18, Driver, Fell in front of journey of tubs drawn by horee, and was crushed under tubs

  Individal page   

Rowley, Arthur, 05 May 1948, aged 25, Haulage, Struck by runaway wagon

  Individal page   

Scichilone, Salvatore, 05 Jun 1954, aged 21, Face worker, Buried by fall

  Individal page   

Seargeant, John, 07 Feb 1881, aged 33, Fireman, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Shaw, James, 17 Apr 1878, aged 39, Collier, Fall of roof

  Individal page   

Shaw, John, 30 Nov 1905, 12.45 p.m., aged 16, Oiler, Crushed between ropes and driving wheel of fan engine. He had no business in the fan engine house and had gone through fence

  Individal page   

Shearer, F. A., 04 Dec 1948, aged 62, Collier, Underground fire, Hesketh pit [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Sherratt, Enoch, 22 May 1912, aged 15, Screen boy, Deceased was engaged levelling coal on the top of a railway wagon, when he accidentally fell over the end, and, dropping 10 feet, struck his head against a wood block lying on the ground. His skull was fractured and he died shortly afterwards

  Individal page   

Sherrett, J., 12 Feb 1885, Collier, Knocked down by cage when in motion while trying to get into it

  Individal page   

Sides, Thomas, 21 Jan 1899, 2.15 p.m., aged 17, Driver, Fell off a train of wagons in a tunnel on Private Branch Railway while riding from the Colliery to his home

  Individal page   

Simcock, J., 07 Oct 1881, Collier, Fall of coal

  Individal page   

Simcock, J., 05 Aug 1941, aged 63, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Simpson, Walter, 10 May 1897, 11.15 a.m., aged 44, Shunter, Crushed between trucks while lowering a truck into siding and sitting on the brake handle

  Individal page   

Smith, A., 04 Sep 1922, aged 24, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Smith, G. H., 17 Aug 1883, aged 22, Packer, Fall of roof

  Individal page   

Smith, W., 04 Sep 1928, aged 23, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Sosna, Karol, 04 Nov 1957, aged 40, Face worker, Buried under fall

  Individal page   

Sproston, Enoch, 18 Jul 1910, aged 30, Brakesman, Sproston was crushed between a waggon at rest, standing nearly foul of a crossing at a junction, and a train of waggons which were being lowered down slowly on an adjoining line. Sproston knew the waggons were foul at the junction and had warned an assistant not to attempt to pass between them

  Individal page   

Standish, J., 25 Feb 1853, Brick fell down shaft

  Individal page   

Statham, John E., 04 Jan 1968, aged 26, Face worker, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Stockton, Joseph, 16 Jun 1905, 9.30 p.m., aged 17, Screenman, Run over by wagons being lowered to screens while he was loading fallen slack

  Individal page   

Stubbs, Henry, 07 Feb 1881, aged 33, Carpenter, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Stubbs, R., 04 Nov 1935, aged 41, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Summerfield, J., 04 Feb 1943, aged 26, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Taylor, William, 04 Jul 1953, aged 44, Miner, Crushed between tubs and shaft

  Individal page   

Theobold, H., 05 May 1927, aged 56, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Thompson, Daniel, 04 Mar 1906, (accident: 16 Feb 1906), aged 45, Fireman, Deceased was struck on the shoulder by a piece of dirt from a shot fired in the ripping in a Cockshead jig. While firing he had taken refuge in a manhole 20 yards down the dip, but on the opposite side to that on which the shot was. He would have been out of danger had he gone upwards into the drift at the top. He died on March 4th of tetanus resulting from the wound

  Individal page   

Thompson, John, 07 Feb 1881, aged 26, Assistant Manager, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Tideswell, G. E., 05 Nov 1926, aged 23, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Tomkinson, D., 05 Oct 1938, aged 23, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Unwin, J. Y., 17 Apr 1901, aged 23, Collier, Fall of roof in Hard Mine, from between two slips, while he was timbering road near working face. The fall was 16 ft. long by 2 ft. 9 ins. at widest place, and 18 ins. thick. One of the slips was quite visible, and the fireman had seen it. More bars should have been set before the fall occurred

  Individal page   

Vickers, Samuel, 07 Feb 1881, aged 53, Fireman, Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by underground smithy [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Wakefield, Richard, 03 Jan 1913, aged 46, Collier, Deceased was cutting the tops along by the pack in a face in the Cockshead Coal. A "goth" caused a rate of coal about 5 feet in length, 15 inches wide, and 3 feet deep to fall from the edge of the top coal. It fell on deceased and buried him, causing injuries from which he died shortly afterwards. Posts were set under the top coal 2 feet apart parallel to the face and were drawn as required. One had been drawn, leaving 15 inches of coal overhanging from the next prop, and it was this overhanging coal which fell. A sprag to it might have prevented the accident, and it could easily have been drawn after completing the cutting

  Individal page   

Whitby, H., 26 Nov 1904, aged 63, [Not employed], On the 26th November, on a private branch railway connected with Whitfield Colliery, North Staffordshire, a man named H. Whitby, aged 63, who had been dismissed from working at the colliery, was killed by moving wagons. A verdict of suicide was returned. [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

  Individal page   

White, James, 23 Aug 1904, aged 14, [Not employed], On the 23rd August a boy named Jas. White, aged 14, (not employed) was killed by being run over by wagons while trespassing on a private branch railway connected with Whitfield Colliery, North Staffordshire. [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

  Individal page   

Whitehurst, Joseph H., 05 Apr 1952, aged 26, Ripper, Crushed by tubs, Hesketh Pit [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Whitney, George, 04 Dec 1906, 4.45 a.m., aged 52, Ripper, Deceased and another were trying to pull down a bridge which had been left in the ripping and which had probably been shaken by a shot. It was 14 inches in thickness, had a loose end at rise side but appeared to be fast at dip side. They tried to pull down the whole thickness at once, but failed, and were setting a temporary prop under it, when the lower portion come away and killed him instantly

  Individal page   

Wilde, Frank, 04 Dec 1971, aged 48, Under manager, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Wilkinson, T. W., 05 Nov 1967, aged 37, Face worker, Killed by a fall of roof

  Individal page   

Wilson, A., 13 Aug 1935, (accident: 12 Aug 1935), Contractor, as the result of a run of trolleys breaking loose in the engine dip [More information ...]

  Individal page   

Wood, R., 04 Dec 1942, aged 38, [details unknown]

  Individal page   

Wooten, P. O., 21 Aug 1903, 3.5 p.m., aged 19, Engine dip hooker, Wooten went a short distance up the endless rope engine dip to attend to an empty tub which had become unclipped. They stopped the rope, moved the empty tub on to the full line and reclipped it. Wooten signalled the rope to start before he was out of the dip. The same tub got loose again, ran back and caught him. The clip was said to be in good order and continued to work, not being kept separate for examination

  Individal page   

Worthington, Issac, 19 Oct 1894, aged 36, Engineman, Crushed by revolving shaft at screen while oiling machinery in motion contrary to rule

  Individal page   

Wright, F. J., 14 Oct 1899, (accident: 27 Sep 1899, 12.45 p.m.), aged 44, Collier, Fall of roof from a slip at working face in Bullhurst Seam, while he was preparing to set a post. Died 14th October

  Individal page   

Wyse, J. H., 05 Feb 1942, aged 26, [details unknown]

  Individal page CMHRC 

Yorsall, William, 19 Aug 1930, aged 31, Collier, Fall of dirt — fractured leg

 
  204 names found

If you know of any fatalities missing from the above list then please contact us with the details and we will add them to our database.

Those names marked with image, have a web page providing individual details of the accident, the page may also include a photograph of the deceased. Click on the image symbol next to the name to see the web page.

Some of the names of mining fatalities on this page have been kindly provided by Ian Winstanley of the Coal Mining History Resource Centre (CMHRC) and are marked with image. The CMHRC is available here.

More information  more information on some of the fatalities shown above


  Local Collieries Summary Description Disasters Names Credits  

Collieries and Pits within 5 miles (8km)

Colliery Map  a simulated map showing the immediate vicinity of Whitfield Colliery

Nearby Collieries  list of collieries/pits etc. near to Whitfield Colliery


  Credits Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries  

Credits

Sources:

  • 1853 (Jan-Jun) Mines Inspectors Report, by Thomas Wynne, H.M. Inspector of Mines, published in 1854
  • 1859 Mines Inspectors Report, North Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire District by Thomas Wynne, H.M. Inspector of Mines
  • 1873 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 1056), North Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Shropshire District by Thomas Wynne, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1876 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 1734), North Staffordshire District by Thomas Wynne, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1878 Mines Inspectors Report (C 2321), North Staffordshire District by Thomas Wynne, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1881 Mines Inspectors Report (C 3241), North Staffordshire District by Thomas Wynne, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1883 Mines Inspectors Report (C 4078), North Staffordshire District by Thomas Wynne, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1884 Mines Inspectors Report (C 4429), North Staffordshire District by Thomas Wynne, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1889 Mines Inspectors Report (C 6015), North Staffordshire District (No. 10) by W. N. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1894 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1896 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, also available online at Peak District Mines Historical Society Ltd
  • 1896 Mines Inspectors Report (C 8450), North Staffordshire District (No. 10) by W. N. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1897 Mines Inspectors Report (C 8819), North Staffordshire District (No. 10) by W. N. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1898 Mines Inspectors Report (C 9264), North Staffordshire District (No. 10) by W. N. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1899 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 134), North Staffordshire District (No. 10) by W. N. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1900 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1900 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 536), North Staffordshire District (No. 10) by W. N. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1901 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 1062), Stafford District (No. 9) by W. N. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1902 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 1590), Stafford District (No. 9) by W. N. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1903 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2119), Stafford District (No. 9) by W. N. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1904 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2506), Stafford District (No. 9) by W. N. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1905 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1905 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2910), Stafford District (No. 9) by W. N. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1906 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 3449), Stafford District (No. 9) by Hugh Johnstone, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1907 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 4045), Stafford District (No. 9) by Hugh Johnstone, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1908 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 4672), Stafford District (No. 9) by Hugh Johnstone, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1909 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 5177), Stafford District (No. 9) by Hugh Johnstone, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1910 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1910 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 5676), Midland and Southern District (No. 8) by Hugh Johnstone, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1911 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 6237), Midland and Southern District (No. 8) by Hugh Johnstone, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1912 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 6983), Midland and Southern District (No. 8) by Hugh Johnstone, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1913 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 7439), Midland and Southern Division (No. 6) by Hugh Johnstone, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
  • 1915 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department
  • 1923 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1924 Mines Inspectors Report, Midland and Southern Division (No. 8) by H. A. Abbott, H.M. Inspector of Mines [DMM Ref: L-01624 - Tom Bainbridge Collection]
  • 1933 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1937 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1940 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
  • 1947 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian

  Summary Description Disasters Names Local Collieries Credits  

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