Thomas Robinson

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Committee

1051. Bowden Close. Thomas Robinson, 14, driver.

Died on August 30th, 1918, as the result, it is alleged, of injuries received on May 8th, 1918, when, it was stated, he strained himself whilst lifting a tub. Dr McCullagh attended the Post Mortem on behalf of the Association and reported as follows :—

"Tubercle is often present in the body, but is inactive and gives no sign of its presence, unless it is started into activity by some cause, such as a blow, and this is what occurred in the case of Robinson. Although there is no history of a direct blow, yet the sprain of his abdominal muscles was sufficiently severe to cause pain and obvious swelling and may have started the quiescent tubercle into activity."

"Dr Pearson, on behalf of the owners, contended that the injury on May 8th had no connection with the boy's condition, but the evidence of Dr Steele and of the father was very clear that no complaint of any illness had been made previously to that date."

The coroner's jury brought in a verdict that death was due to tubercular peritonitis, resulting from or accelerated by an accidental strain through lifting a tub on to the way whilst at work.

The family consisted of the following :—

Deceased, 14, driver, £1/2/1.

Father, 48, hewer, £3/1/0. Also received free coal and is landlord of a public-house.

Mother, 50.

Sister, 18.

Claim made by the father.

The Committee awarded £65.

Source: NEEMARC - Ref: NUMDA/6/1/1/1, Reports of the Compensation Department, Vol I covering Sep 1918-Dec 1919