Walsall Wood Colliery, image believed to be not far from closure, possibly 1950s. From Walsall, a Click in Time/Walsall Local History Centre.
Had a great enquiry in this week from Chris Smith, who you’ll remember was researching the Claridge family and shop for the store’s 60th anniversary this year – well Chris is looking for some local history help with his family, including his Grandfather who was blast man at Walsall Wood Colliery.
Chris wrote:
Hi Bob,
I wonder if you or any of your readers can help me with things which relate to my Great Grandfather Joseph Smith Born 1867 in Warwickshire, possibly Birmingham, lived in the Shire Oak area and worked at Walsall Wood Colliery where I believe he had the job of looking after the explosive stock. His son, my Grandad, Isaiah Smith also worked at the pit. One of his daughters was Mrs Claridge.
I would like any information about the family and about the explosives store which I believe was the shed in the middle of the field opposite the colliery and behind the school on Linden Rd.
Even better, any of my relatives out there?
Best regards,
Chris
Thanks to Chris for an interesting enquiry – can you help?
As has been mentioned a few times here over the years, that’s exactly where the explosives magazine was, in the field, and is shown on mapping of the time:
The magazine and Walsall Wood Colliery would now be in the car park of the Oak Park Centre. Image from 1915 1:2,500 mapping. Click for a larger version.
It seems odd that so many pit magazines were so exposed and insecure.
If you can help Chris, please do: either comment here or mail me: BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.