Wigan Album

I remember being told that William Doran was related to my Catterall’s. I don’t know if that is true or not but the address of 5 Hardybutts is very near Clockface Yard if not in the yard where my grt Grandparents lived. My grandfather was born at number 1.

In Abram we light a candle or a lantern in our windows on the evening of the anniversary of the Maypole Disaster in memory of the miners who lost their lives there.

I recollect a comment being on W.W.A. a while ago, relating to the three miners finding their way through old workings, to the Junction Colliery. Anyone any further knowledge regarding this?.

Irene that’s a lovely thing to do, gone but certainly not forgotten.

One of my relatives died in the maypole pit disaster. My great great uncle Peter Fishwick his body was not recovered until 1911 and he was buried in St John’s churchyard.I believe he was a member of the Methodist church and a reporter was sent to the mine shortly after the disaster and he went to visit his wife and children and his story was in the Methodist newspaper.I found all this information when doing my family history and also found that not only Peter died in a mining accident but his father and grandfather also died in mining accidents.

Jean. King Coal has a lot to answer for in the lives that were lost, the severe injuries caused, and the diseases that the terrible dust inflicted on the lungs, but the esprit de Corps amongst miners’ was second to none.

This is a poem I wrote on the evening of Golborne Pit disaster.
Edward Farrell was a member of St Patrick' s parish many of his relatives still live in the parish. Many of those killed were all so from the area .


The Miner.
By Tom Walsh.


A coal mine's a tunnel that runs under ground, it has black dusty walls and ominous sounds, moaning and creaking ,and seeming to move, but the stillness and darkness, are worst of all.

It has no windows, or ornate doors, and there are thick clouds of dust that menace the throat.The light is so poor.
The ceiling so low, you pity the men who work here below.

Now the miner himself, has hopes and fears, and ponders the plight of those he loves dear if that ,that he dreads, as all miners must, when the floor meets the ceiling, with a sickening thud ,covered with rock coal and grime, battered and bleeding unaware of time, no clean sheets, or a parsons prayer, not the benefit, of family there. And then when the corpse is brought to the top, cries of shame from ever sphere, "the lad", only in his thirty-first year.

The union there to see justice done ,a weekly pension, and a lump sum, but what price a life of a man who knew fear, who had hopes, and dreams, but is no longer here.

Hello Jean,are you Jean Roberts maiden name Fishwick, from Ince?

Very moving words Tom.

What an utterly dejected scene, you cannot think what they went through.
My great grandfather John Bradshaw was killed in the King Pit disaster aged 26, leaving a wife & 3 children .

I looked up his grave (if it’s the same William Doran. He’s buried with his wife and two Catterall’s. Which makes me think there was a connection in my ancestry.

Elizabeth yes that’s me and I guess you are Elizabeth Hurst.Can I just say thanks for all your help when you worked in the history shop.

I thought it was too much of a coincidence not be you Jean, we mustn't have changed that much from Ince Central ! Thank you so much for your kind words, hope you and your family are keeping well.x

Tom I read your poem about the Golbourne Pit disaster it is very moving.My husband Philip had a very good friend died in that disaster his name was Colin Dallimore and he was from Platt Bridge.Incidentally Philip was talking to you in church on Sunday about them railing’s outside Woollies he says you will know who he is.

Can anybody please tell me how to put a picture on the album page I have no idea what to do and I would like to put my grandparents wedding photo on along with his medals from the First World War.

Tom. Your poem’s depiction is a striking manifest of the conditions that the miners’ worked in.

Jean go into Album and at the top of the photos there’s a little green box which say ‘add photo’. Scroll down and follow the instructions. It’s always nice to see fresh photos.

Jean, thank you for kind words . YesI know your husband very well , it's a small world isn't it .
Best regards,
Tom.

The longest living of the 3 survivors of the maypole disaster Billy Doran (took his mother's name Catterall) and had several brothers/sisters who took the name Catterall. The parents didn't marry until after the children were born hence them having the name Catterall. Billy is buried in gidlow cemetery. His father Billy Doran is in Ince cemetery, his son Albert and daughter known as Nellie are in graves opposite.

Billy Doran, 1 of the survivors, is my great grand father, his son William Catterall was my grandad, Billy Doran is buried with him at gidlow along with my grandma Edith and 1 of their sons Also William, my Dad is Edmund Catterall, ( Billy Doran’s grandson )

Lovely poem, im a great grand daughter of Edward Farrell. Strange to think if he hadn't survived the i wouldn't be here. Sad to think of all that perished ????