I had never seen this series of three images before I saw them in David F. Vodden’s book ‘Around Pelsall & Brownhills in old photographs’. Originally 3 photos on three separate pages, they form a panorma of the Walsall Wood Colliery, which I’ve stiched back into one image, as best I can. Please click on the image to view it full size.
For those who missed it, I had an interesting question commented to an old post in the week, and I thought I’d make a post out of it as it deserves a wider audience – this certainly sounds like a remarkable family history, which someone out there must be able to help with.
Reader Graham Taylor wrote:
Hi
Does anybody have any information on either of my parents William Taylor and Selina Taylor nee Painter who were born in Coppice Road, Walsall Wood in 1901 and 1902?
Dad had three brothers David, Joe and Cyril, and a sister Kate.
Mother had 13 brothers and sisters one brother Frank was killed at Dunkirk in World War II.
Dad left school aged 12 and worked in the lamp house at the Coppice Colliery and played the organ at St. John’s Church.
Any information most welcomed.
Cheers
Graham Taylor
Now what particularly captured my attention here was that Graham says Willam Taylor was born in 1901, left school at 12 and worked in the lamp house of Coppice Colliery – which if I’m not mistaken is Walsall Wood Colliery.
It just so happens there’s a photo of the inside of that very lamp house, where a young lad is working. It’s featured in the book ‘The South Staffordshire Coalfield’ by Nigel A. Chapman, who states it’s a 1920s image. William would have started work in 1913 or thereabouts, so it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that the lad is William Taylor, who looks in the picture to be in mid or late teens – and there’s nothing in the image I’m aware to date it.
The honest belief is generally that miners were the salt of the earth, and all the accidents were the cause of the managers, but occasionally, the pitmen were their own worst enemies. One cannot imagine the act of opening a naked flame to get better light – but of course, many miners suffered with their eyes, so the motivation can be understood. Remember that the Grove Pit Disaster was thought to be caused by a miner striking a light down below. Taken from ‘The South Staffordshire Coalfield’ by Nigel A. Chapman.
Thanks to Graham for a fascinating enquiry, please do help if you can. It sounds like William was a real stalwart of the community, so someone should remember him, and 13 is a ver large family, so Selina Taylor’s roots must still be hereabouts.
If you can help, please do: comment here on this post or mail me – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Thanks.