Killed in a Coalpit

D.P. Lindegaard, with technical assistance from S. Grudgings

South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group, 2016.

Hardback, 272pp, illustrated with about 100 photos, drawings, diagrams and newspaper articles, 234 x 156mm.

Price: £15.00 + £3.50 p&p

ISBN 978-0-957233-13-3

This book covers the accidents which befell the coalminers who worked in the historic Kingswood (South Gloucestershire) Coalfield. Readers will gain a real insight into the lives of the miners, their families and the conditions they endured.

Though the main theme concerns the fatal accidents (and other incidents) that befell the coal miners who worked in the historic Kingswood (South Gloucestershire) Coalfield, it is hoped that through these tragic events, readers will gain a real insight into the lives of the miners and their families and the conditions they endured.

The first edition of Killed in a Coalpit, a catalogue of all the available information, was self-published as a photocopy by D.P. Lindegaard in the 1980s. This professionally produced edition, considerably enlarged and updated, results from the author’s chance visit to Oldwood Pits on a Heritage Open Day some years ago. She was surprised when the South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group archaeologists, who were running the show, had heard of ‘Killed in a Coalpit’ saying of the book, “no one had ever done this before!”. “It is an enormous understatement to state that I was thrilled with this reception” she says. She credits the encouragement she received then and since from SGMRG members, which has enabled Killed in a Coalpit to be rescued from oblivion and updated.

Selected chapter headings: The Underground Men, Collyers, Coleminers & Colecarryers; Development of Mining Technology in the Bristol Coalfield; Killed in a Coalpit; Some Lucky Escapes?; Heroes; Children’s Employment Commission - 1841; A trip down the Pit - Easton Colliery - 1883; Colliers’ Tales; Survivors.

There is an extensive index plus a list of sources and abbreviations.

The whole book contains well over 2,000 miners’ names.