Hi
I have been researching my family tree and found my grandfather (father’s father) Joseph Robinson was killed at Underwood pit on Wednesday 12th December 1917, aged 24 years old. This was four days after my dad had been born.

I am currently writing about it for Best of British, the nostalgia magazine. They have said they are interested in the item but of course it does not mean they will definitely publish it.

The reason I am writing to you is to ask if you have any photographs of Underwood pit I may send to them with the possibility they may publish it. A jpeg would be fine.

Many thanks  All the best  Phil Robinson  Hucknall, Nottingham

6 Mar 11
Re Robinson query I have all the detail but the pit is wrong it was Selston. Underwood closed in 1876 give him my e mail if he wants it.
Cheers Alan Beales

Many thanks for the information. I think it was referred to as the Underwood Colliery locally, as this is the name that the Heanor Observer refer to in both the report of the death in their edition of 13th December 1917

 “…whilst following his employment as a miner at the Underwood Colliery…”and in their reporting of the inquest in the edition of 20th December 1917: “Messrs Barber, Walker & Co the proprietors of the Underwood Colliery were represented by Mr. D F Beck…”

I have copies of the actual article from the Heanor Observer as Heanor Library have them on micro fiche.

I think the detail below probably explains it:-

UNDERWOOD COLLIERY(Memorial) The Selston (or Underwood) pit also went back centuries, being taken over in 1728 by Barber Walker & Co when it was probably just an opencast or outcropping site. Barber Walker sank a real vertical mine shaft there in 1831.  It was included in the 1842 Children's Employment Commission.  The pit at Underwood was 140 yards deep.  Workers were let down and up, four at a time by a flat rope. They had no Davy Lamps but fortunately no accidents had been recorded at the pit for two years prior to the Commision in 1842. At that time Barber and Walker owned 12 shafts employing a total of 101 children under the age of 13.

Thanks again!
All the best
Phil Robinson