
Dear Sir,
Here is a photo of my grandfather, George Barrington Knowles, born 1876, with the Hardwick No2 Rescue Team. He is seated on the right.
I don't know the date or where the photo was taken. George was born in Friesland near Selston in 1876 and died in Hasland in 1945, aged 59, having lived in Selston and Holmewood in between. I was born in 1941 so barely remember him.
My mother (his youngest child) told me that he was a deputy, but I'm not sure in which pit. I seem to remember Williamthorpe being mentioned, but I suppose that it could have been more than one over his career. He was certainly quite prosperous for the time, owning his home in Selston and Hasland - not sure about Holmewood.
Please feel free to use the photo. The more these old photos are spread around the better the chance that they will be preserved for posterity. Would you have any idea where and when it was taken? Any information would be appreciated.
Best regards,
Trevor Armstrong
The photo below was taken around 1930, the officer in the middle looks like the same officer in the middle of yours but a little younger, possibly 1920-25 that would make your grandfather around 40/45
Fionn, Webmaster
George Knowles was born in 1876, so he would have been 44 in 1920. By 1935 (when my parents were married) he is pretty much totally bald and looks older than his age, 59. He died in 1945. I was born in 1941 so barely remember him.
Regarding the gent in the middle - they do look very similar, but Newstead is near Eastwood and the Hardwick collieries were Williamthorpe, Holmewood, and Ramcroft, I think, near Chesterfield. Also, I notice that said gent has his arms crossed differently in the two photos, but then that's getting really picky.
The photo came from my sister and she agrees with me regarding which one is George. He looks very much like a younger photo which we know is him. I do find that the moustaches worn in those days made men look very similar.
I love your site. There's so much good stuff on it. And thank you for putting a link to the Tupton Local History Society. I'm the secretary. I'll make sure that at our next committee meeting I request that we link to your site.
We are having a presentation at our venue in Tupton (details on our web site) on 1st December about coal mining in this area. This will be given by Neil Bridgewater, who also has a web site:

http://www.oldminer.co.uk/

http://www.tuptonlocalhistorysociety.com/
Best regards,
Trevor Armstrong |