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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Aberdeenshire => Topic started by: jessienicolson on Monday 10 August 15 20:15 BST (UK)

Title: Occupation
Post by: jessienicolson on Monday 10 August 15 20:15 BST (UK)

Whilst looking at school records of my father and his siblings, for 1916. I notice that his father's occupation was that of "Mine Spr" nothing else. Can anyone shed some light on this please.  My grandfather, as far as I am aware, did not serve in the forces during the first world war.

Title: Re: Occupation
Post by: ev on Monday 10 August 15 21:37 BST (UK)

Hi ,

Can you give us your grandfather's name , would he been of an age to serve in WW1 ?

Miner's were drafted to the front with very little military training.

http://www.1914-1918.net/tunnelcoyre.htm



ev

Title: Re: Occupation
Post by: Viktoria on Monday 10 August 15 21:42 BST (UK)

If he worked in a mine it might have been  a reserved occupation and he would not be enlisted.
However when tunnelling started for example at Hill 60 miners were used and as has been said without any real military training, they were not going to be square bashing or going over the top!
Try googling what spr could be an abbreviation for, in mineworking .              Hope it helps.
Just double check so you are certain those are the letters.Often the writing is poor and hard to decipher.
              Viktoria.

Title: Re: Occupation
Post by: GR2 on Monday 10 August 15 21:46 BST (UK)

Mine spotter?

Title: Re: Occupation
Post by: Hackstaple on Monday 10 August 15 21:47 BST (UK)

Mine sapper?

Title: Re: Occupation
Post by: ev on Monday 10 August 15 21:59 BST (UK)

Yes , I was thinking mine sapper , or mine supervisor ?

Don't think there were many mines in Aberdeenshire ?

Perhaps he was working away from home , but would that not indicate previous experience ?

Hard to decide without further information  :-\



ev

Title: Re: Occupation
Post by: Countryquine on Monday 10 August 15 22:39 BST (UK)

Whereabout in Aberdeenshire was this?   The area might give an indication of the particular industry. Could he have been involved in quarrying?

Title: Re: Occupation
Post by: jessienicolson on Tuesday 11 August 15 07:24 BST (UK)

Thanks to everyone for getting back to me.  I am now of the opinion that it was a "mine spotter" as my grandfather lived in Aberdeen very close to the harbour and shipyards.  And was also a fishmarket porter as well during his life.