My uncle George Stanyard was killed at the pit in either 1962 or 1963. I remember being at Whitwick Primary School, (I was either 10 or 11 years old) the school based at the marketplace when the pit whistle went. We all knew that it was the wrong time and it didn't stop and knew an accident had occurred.

I was fetched from school to be told my Uncle George had been in an accident and taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, he died about two days later.

I'm told he was killed when a coal truck was dispatched without warning and he was between trucks coupling them up. He was crushed between the trucks.

It was an impressive funeral the whole village was there and the main road closed for the cortege, which was led by a brass band.

The accident was reported in the Coalville Times and the Leicester Mercury.

If you want any other information please contact me
Regards
Bev Croasdel

-- 23 April 2018 --

Dear Fionn

In June 2107 I contacted you regarding the death of my uncle George Stanyard, at Whitwick Colliery. In fact his birth name was William George Stanyard, but always known as George.

I now have proof that he was in fact killed through a mining accident at the pit.

I have a copy of the inquest into his death.

The accident took place on the 16th of May 1962 and he died, aged 52, at Leicester Royal Infirmary on the 23rd of May.

The coroner has written for cause of death:-

'Stove in chest caused when he was hit by a tub whilst at his work underground at Whitwick Colliery in the tunnels'

I spoke to a Mr Anderson at Leicester Coroners Office and he said it was clear that although my uncle died in hospital his death was caused by a mining accident.

If you would like a copy of the inquest form I would only be too happy to supply it.
Yours sincerely
Bev Croasdell

See Also Alan Beales Fatalities

Hi, my grandad used to work at Cadley pit in the 1960s, I think. His name is Alan Dolman of Stanton, he passed away 10 years ago now, I was just wondering if you knew any information about him, or if there any old photos online that I can access, it would be great to see him in his working life before he retired and took ill.

Many thanks,
Amy Dolman.

Amy

Unfortunately we have no records of workmen other than if it was a fatality or was involved in a very bad accident. We are still researching that area as we know some men are missing from our list.

Local newspapers are sometimes useful, providing you have some idea of the date. Other than that maybe an advert in the press could find someone who knew him.

There is a museum at Swadlincote called the Magic Attic where numerous newspaper reports have been scanned and can be accessed.

The volunteers there are very helpful. It is on the web for opening times.

That is the best advice I can give at this time.

Regards

Bob Bradley

Please can you help me? I'm trying to find information about Rachel Pit / Birchwood Lane Pit which was situated near to Queen Street on Birchwood Lane Somercotes. I would like to know who the owners were. According to information from Somercotes History Society it was mined only for five years around 1870 - 1875. I have contacted the Coal Authority and the mine shows on the 1942 local map with these names. I would be most grateful for any info and  your help in this matter,
Sincerely,

Judith Fitzhugh

Sent from my iPad

The day Dave Price was killed Prince Charles was on a visit to the pit, as he went down one shaft, they were bringing Dave up the other. Dave was a mate of my fathers and when I joined the army Dave signed my papers as my reference. My dad (Geven Mitchell) was buried in a roof fall 1946 I think at Welbeck.

Sent from my iPad

I have just read the page about Thoresby Colliery. There is a slight mistake the winder at No1 shaft was changed in 1981, I know this as I started there in 1980 just before No2 engine was changed, and followed the following year by No1. We have a photo of the new Engine being lifted in, both me and my dad (Reg) worked on it, if I can find it I will scan it in and send you a copy.

If my memory serves me correctly in 1982 a new wash box and screens were fitted in the Coal Preparation Plant.

Hope this helps

Derek

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

Just found this Photo, the winder was restored by a great friend of mine George Strutt of Darley Dale some years ago.

If I remember, he said it was made for the South Wales Mines Rescue, mobile winder, and because of the hills it had uprated brakes.

Hope this useful

Derek

See Winders Section

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

--<28 Sep 2017>--

If he came from the North East, possibly because of spelling or dialect could be Hauling Engine Tenter, which would be an underground haulage engine tender or driver.

Best solution I can give
Regards
Bob Bradley

I would like to ask for your permission to please let me place some of your OLLERTON COLLIERY pictures on to the Ollerton Facebook Site? My father and myself and 2 brothers all worked at the colliery. I was an apprentice electrician, my boss was Ken Stokes a Football League referee who famously sent both football teams off the pitch!! I have a letter from the manager at the colliery to my father thanking him for his bravery during a mining disaster.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards
Tony Bak

Robert Bradley - Ollerton Closed 1994, After 69 Years
Darren Haywood - Photos
Shane Phillips - Photos
Stuart Tomlins - Photos

Maureen Walters posted in Britains Collieries And Pit Disasters.

I was at Felkirk Cemetery today transcribing the graves and came across this one - Donald M. J. GILL killed at Wharncliffe Woodmoor Colliery 16th Feb 1956 age 50 (his wife Alice lives another 40 years Dec 10th 1991 age 82).

Would anyone know if this was a singular accident or were others sadly involved? thanksanother query. I was at Felkirk Cemetery today transcribing the graves and came across this one - Dona..."

I have been Googling for a while for more in depth information on mining in the Derbyshire area, however, the tyranny of distance makes it difficult to know which search lead to follow as the most accurate, I was hoping you could help?

Background:
My family appears to have moved from the Ilkeston/Cotmanhay area between the 1871 and 1881 census. In the former they appear at “Trumpet Yard” in Ilkeston and in the later at Bolton-on-Dearne in Yorkshire. They were all colliers and their birth records seem to show they were born in Cotmanhay. (I’m unsure, in that period of time, whether Cotmanhay and Ilkeston where separate locations. Google maps today seems to suggest Cotmanhay is a suburb of Ilkeston). Internet searching indicates Cotmanhay Colliery operated between 1848-1880 (and there was an accident in 1870, not sure of any others) … but there also appears to be many collieries in the area.

Therefore on the surface, it appears logical for a family to move for work if a colliery was shutting down.

Aside from this, the census records appear to suggest the surname has changed from (H)Enshaw to Earnshaw over a period of 40 years. The mother/father/children/age patterns are fairly consistent at the same addresses but the surname changes …

Questions:
1. Can you comment on the collieries in the Ilkeston area (there appears to be so many) - especially with a possibility to supporting the belief of a family move for employment
2. Can you point to any definitive lists of colliery employees during this time period … may show their residential address? (There are at least two William Henshaw/ wife Ellen in the Cotmanhay area, with a son Elijah (one born 1836 the other 1840) that would allow me to narrow down which William I may have to follow
3. What/where was “Trumpet Yard”

Many thanks in advance.

Kind Regards

Mike Earnshaw

Cotmanhay is mentioned in the following pages:-

Transported by Bus

Named Collieries