An intriguing image from the collection of photos from my mum. The date and location are recorded on the shot, but I've no idea what the family connection might be. I do know that there were family members who worked in the coal mining industry in South Yorkshire but I'm not aware of anyone in a Mines Rescue team.
This shot does show some remarkably brave people. Coal mining in the period before the mines were nationalised after the Second Workd War were very dangerous industry to work in, with frequent accidents, some with huge numbers of casualties. The rescue team would go into the mines to rescue injured or trapped miners, with very basic safety equipment. There are numerous incidents where the rescue team would go into a mine after a gas explosion, and a second explosion would make the rescue team into casualties.
A terrible disaster happened at Cadeby Main Colliery 13 years before this photo was taken and only a few miles from Wath. Early in the morning of 9 July an explosion in the south-west part of the Cadeby Main colliery killed 35 men, with three more dying later due to their injuries. Later in the same day, after a rescue party was sent below ground, another explosion occurred, killing 53 men of the rescue party. As I have already said, incredibly brave men to enter a mine after an accident.
How interesting. I do hope you can find out the significance of this photo by doing family history.
My great grandfather was a miner at both Denaby Main and Cadeby Main collieries, and he was at Cadeby at the time of the disaster in 1912. He died in 1924 from bladder cancer
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
It has been an interesting process scanning, restoring and sharing these old family images. There are about 600 images that I've scanned, so I think it likely that I will be sharing more in the future. I really need to do more research into many of them first though.
Thank you for the interesting information about your family link with Denaby Main and Cadeby Main collieries. It is interesting that Cadeby Main colliery was quite young at the time of the disaster there. Production of coal had only begun in 1893. Today the whole area has been transformed, and there is little evidence of the former coal mining industry. My nephew lives on a housing estate built recently on part of the Cadeby Main colliery site.
Thanks for sharing
My great grandfather was a miner at both Denaby Main and Cadeby Main collieries, and he was at Cadeby at the time of the disaster in 1912. He died in 1924 from bladder cancer
Another fabulous archive!
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
It has been an interesting process scanning, restoring and sharing these old family images. There are about 600 images that I've scanned, so I think it likely that I will be sharing more in the future. I really need to do more research into many of them first though.
Ian
Thank you for the interesting information about your family link with Denaby Main and Cadeby Main collieries. It is interesting that Cadeby Main colliery was quite young at the time of the disaster there. Production of coal had only begun in 1893. Today the whole area has been transformed, and there is little evidence of the former coal mining industry. My nephew lives on a housing estate built recently on part of the Cadeby Main colliery site.
Ian
Thank you Vesna, I'm glad you like it!
Ian
Incredibly brave, facing very unpleasant risks.
Ian