Hi,
On your web page you refer to the surviving miner of the Bentley colliery disaster as Harold Robertson, it was in fact Harold Roberts. He did actually recover as you correctly state but he suffered with his arm for the rest of his life as it was not placed in a plaster cast because he was so badly burned that he was not expected to survive the night. I would be happy to help you with any more information you require if at all possible.

Thanks Mr J Roberts (grandson)

Hi!
Just looking through your pages and thought someone might like to see this photo of the Bentley brass band as was in 1958. The photo is taken from a Bentley Colliery Jubilee Celebration (1908 - 1958) souvenir programme which took place on Saturday June 14th. It contains many interesting photos of the pit and the people that worked there, along with the pit's history up to 1958. I'm sure they'll be many still alive might like to see it.

Myself, I worked a short while at Silverwood pit until I realised that working underground was for worms and moles (hi! No offense meant:)

Regards
Brian Dudhill

1958 - During their long playing career, the band have won over £1,200 in prizes, and have numbered amongst their members many gold and silver medal soloists. Truly a record which gives substance to their name,of Bentley Colliery Silver Prize Band

The Bentley Colliery Silver Prize Band

Soccer
Traditionally, Doncaster and the surrounding district is a soccer area and, two years after the pit was opened, Bentley Colliery formed a football club and entered the South Yorkshire League.
The club's early matches were played on a ground off Jossey Lane, Scawthorpe, an area which in post war years had been extensively developed by the Coal Industry Housing Association to provide houses for many miners and their families. Ted Kirby, Sam and Billy Roberts, Billy Wynn, and Bob Hayes were stalwarts of that first 1910 season team and Bill Chambers, an underground official at the pit, took on the job of club secretary—a position he was to diligently fulfill for very many years.

Before finally settling in at the ground on which they played in 1958, the team used a pitch in a field off Askern Road.

My grandad was Arthur Ashton. I believe he was a cornet player in the band for many years. I think (as does a cousin) that he's pictured on the back row, above the bass drum.

I'd love to know if that's the case, and if anyone has any memories of him? He was also a Doncaster town councillor for many years and was well respected. He'd have been proud to know that his daughter, (my auntie) Margaret became Mayor of Doncaster.

My great grandad on my grandma's side was a guy named Jack Bowes. He was originally from the north east, Durham or perhaps Newcastle. He came to the Doncaster area and was later known as 'Sinker Jack', because he was one of the original miners that 'sunk' Bentley Colliery.

I now live in France, and I'm trying to trace pictures of grandad, and any info would be gratefully received.

Cordialement,

Stuart Bradley
Le Chant d'Oiseau

A great photo of the band but sadly NO NAMES.
I'm 72 now and lived in Bentley (Askern Rd) till 1971 and I bet I would have known quite a few of the Bandsmen, with a bit of a prompt that is!

Many Thanks

Barry Collins