|
| William
and Frank
would have
most likely have started work
in the
Pit as
door boys.
These boys opened and closed the
ventilation doors
to try
to keep
some air
flow through
the levels.
This was a dangerous and active job because there was no signal
to warn the boys when a tram load of coal was on its way - if the boy
didn't move quickly enough, the tram would crash into the door and in
all probability, he would be killed. |
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|
Extract from a
1901 Colliery Accident Register relating to a doorboy
"While
standing on the posting, he placed his hand on the crossbar of a tram
and the haulier, not knowing that the boy's hand was there, threw a 6
foot piece of pit wood into the tram. Two fingers on the right hand were
crushed and one of the finger, the middle one, has been amputated."
Courtesy
of Glamorgan Country Register Office |
|
Some
boys began on the surface, working alongside women as
sorters for
the face
workers who
were paid
by the
tram load (more for
big lumps
and
a good
deal less
for small
coal.) Hence
the need
for lads as
well to try
to sort
the coal
that was
coming back
from the
face. |
 |
|
Women sorting coal
Origin
of this photograph currently unknown
|
|
We know that William must have worked hard in his
job because by 1901, as listed in the census, he had worked his way up
the ladder to become a Mine Fitter.
My Aunt, Doris Roberts, has told me that like so
many Welsh miners, William took his religion very seriously. I am sure
that he was a Deacon of the Bethany (non-conformists) Chapel in Hermon
Road, Caerau. |
 |
|
Herman
Road, Caerau - mid 20th century
Courtesy
Maesteg Library and Glamorgan County Council |
|
The Bethany Chapel is now no longer used and has
fallen into disrepair but there are plans to restore it for community
use. It was regarded as the family chapel by my Grandmother, Edith Evans
( née Stentiford) and as miners worked a 6-day week in those days, it
would have been the place where William spent most of his free time
above ground.
And except for that brief spell in Torquay (see Issue 52) when he joined his brother Hedley in his butchery business,
this was pretty well the shape of his entire working life. |
 |
|
Bethany
Chapel,
Caerau - now awaiting restoration
©
Huw Davies |
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