Former Maltby miners dig up pit’s history
A Shaft Full of Shadows book launch at Maltby Miners Welfare. Pictured is authors Erick Beckett and Dave Brennan (w120908-6a)
TWO former miners who worked most of their lives at Maltby Main Colliery have had a book published.
Dave Brennan and Eric Beckett have written A Shaft Full Of Shadows, a book which lists most of the men killed while working at the pit.
Dave came up with the idea 20 years ago to find the names of all the men killed and give them some sort of recognition.
After mentioning the idea to Eric, the pair spent three years researching - using archives, news reports, inquest results and speaking to retired miners and families of those who died.
“Some of the stories were heart wrenching, the youngest we found who had been killed was only 14 years of age, the oldest, 72, he came out of retirement to help the war effort during World War II,” said Dave.
The pair found 163 dead men, but believe there are still more, particularly from during World War II when the pit got the nickname ‘The Widow Maker’.
Dave added: “We couldn’t just fill our pages about death so we had to lighten the book and told about Maltby when it was a vibrant mining village and everyone knew everyone else. We wrote about Children’s Outing Funds and trips to the seaside.”
- WOOLWICH TERROR ATTACK: Suspected murderer’s former Saxilby home is raided
- WOOLWICH TERROR ATTACK: Villagers’ shock at terror suspect Saxilby link
- Gainsborough paedophile with animal porn placed on sex register
- WOOLWICH TERROR ATTACK: Help For Heroes reaction to brutal killing of soldier in London
- WOOLWICH TERROR ATTACK: Suspected murderer’s former home on Hotchkin Avenue in Saxilby is raided
- Teens praised for ‘hard work and dedication’
- WOOLWICH TERROR ATTACK: Police warning over online comments
- Inside YOUR Gainsborough Standard this week (Thursday 11th April)
- Gainsborough MP, close friend of Margaret Thatcher, pays tribute to former Prime Minister
- Running and walking both good for your heart
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Gainsborough
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west






