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Pretoria Pit at Westhoughton, Lancashire. Disaster 1910 - Emails Page 1

Explosion 344 killed - Those Who Died

Shirley Bennet - Looking For Information On Robert Roberts, One Of The Rescuers, He Received The King Edward Medal
Tracy Ashall - Pretoria Pit Diasaster 1910, Is there going to be a 100 years service?
Tracy Ashall - Looking For Photos of Thomasson, Pretoria Pit Diasaster 1910
Louise Thomasson - My paternal grandfather was Joseph Thomasson
Richard Thomasson - Tracey Ashall's question
Steve Looker - DVD called Historical Disasters

From:
Sent:
Subject: 		Shirley Bennet
23 Feb 2014
Looking For Information On Robert Roberts, One Of The Rescuers, He Received The King Edward Medal

Hi I am looking for information on Robert Roberts who was one of the rescuers who received the King Edward medal for his assistance in this disaster. Can you help please. He is my partners grandfather.
Any info /photos would be lovely.

Regards
Shirley Bennet

Mr Alfred Tonge was the General Manager and he lived two miles away from the pit. He heard the explosion and went straight there arriving at 8.20 am along with Dr Hatton, the surgeon to the colliery.

Repairs were made to the gearing of the downcast and at 9.00 am Mr Tonge led the first rescue party, entering the pit with eight other men: James Polley, James Moss, John Hilton, William Markland, John Hardman, Robert Roberts, John Herring and James Hartley. They did this at great risk to themselves as they were entering unknown and very dangerous conditions with every risk of further explosions.

They descended without breathing apparatus but with safety lamps, caged canaries and mice to test for after damp.

They each later received the King Edward Medal - the miners' VC.

In paying tribute to the heroism of the rescue teams the Mayor of Bolton, Alderman J T Cooper JP said:
"We do honour to the men who did such noble work on the 21st December last - a time when everyone was looking forward to a happy Christmas.

The men who went about the rescue work set an example of true bravery and courage. True courage is to look fear in the face and not to lose mastery of yourselves.

These men, whilst recognizing the greatness of the risk they ran, controlled natural fear with the hand of courage and calmly did what was considered right. The men had no thought of themselves, going to the pit without hope of reward, not seeking fame, but as a duty towards their fellows."

There is also a Robert Roberts aged 22 of 32 Seddon Street, Westhoughton who died in the disaster, but there were a number of Roberts who died in the disaster. I do not think your Robert died.

Also click here to see Books On Pretoria Mine Disaster At Amazon.co.uk

Thanks to Bob Bradley for pointing me towards this information

From:
Sent:
Subject: 		Tracy Ashall
27 September 2010
Pretoria Pit Diasaster, Is there going to be a 100 years service?

Is there going to be a service this year with it being 100yrs since the disaster? Please would you let me know as I know my mother would be very interested in attending along with myself

Kind Regards

Tracy


From:
Sent:
Subject: 		Tracy Ashall
27 October 2008
Looking For Photos of Thomasson, Pretoria Pit Diasaster 1910

 

Hi I am trying to find a picture of my Great, Great Grandfather Paul Thomasson, his brother Richard Thomasson also died in the same pit disaster.

I am trying to find a picture of him, and I was wondering if you can help?

Kind Regards
Tracy

From: Louise Thomasson
Sent: 21 May 2009
Subject: Tracey Ashall's question

Hi,
I'm not too sure whether I'm going to be able to help someone or not, but having seen Tracey Ashall's question I just felt compelled to reply. My paternal grandfather was Joseph Thomasson who helped to rescue miners in the Pretoria Pit disaster. I'm not too sure if Richard and Paul were related to Joseph, there seem to be a few branches of the Thomasson family (common name in Bolton!), but I'm happy for you to forward my details on to her.

All the best

Louise

From: Richard Thomasson
Sent: 24 September 2010
Subject: Tracey Ashall's question

Hello,
I came across your website and Louise’s request for information quite by chance. I don't think we are talking about the same 'Richard Thomasson', however my grandfather was a miner in Westhoughton also called 'Richard Thomasson' so there’s a family link somewhere.

Perhaps you could forward this and the attached to Louise.

My grandfather, in the picture, undercut the coal seam,(Hewing) and he topped up his income organising bare knuckle fights (M.O.D told me that!)

He died during WW2 having contracted respiratory problems either from mining or fighting the blitz in Liverpool as a fireman. 

Best Regards.

Richard Thomasson.



From: Steve Looker
Sent: 30 December 2008
Subject: DVD called Historical Disasters

Historical Disasters

Dear Sir
I have producer a DVD called Historical Disasters about a mining disaster in Bolton in 1910. This is an amazing DVD that I have worked on for the last two years. I am hoping to keep the memory of the mines alive.

Kind Regards
Steve Looker

"Have you ever asked why!"

In 1910 over ten million tons of coal were mined in the United Kingdom.
The price. The death of 344 men and boys at the Pretoria Pit near Bolton, England. At the time Britain's second biggest mining disaster.

"I have seen Documentaries before but nothing with so much strength, wonderment and emotion. I found myself crying which doesn't happen often. This film shows that people do care"

P Edwards, Historian

Reel Vision Films tells the harrowing story of Pretoria and how mining has evolved up to present day. The Documentary investigates how the disaster happened by using local experts, families of those involved, computer graphic reconstructions and actual pictures of the terrible aftermath. All of which brings to light what happened on that fateful day.


Filmed at The National Coal Mining Museum, and Narrated by Paul Loughran better known as 'Butch Dingle' from Emmerdale and Blue Murder.

"Imagine yourself down a mine, it's pitch black, there's deadly gas and smoke. And you're trying to find your way out. This film places you in the middle of the disaster!"

Steve Looker, Director

www.reelvisionfilms.co.uk/pit.html
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