Coventry coal mines

[charlotteuk]

Does anyone know of any records of workers at coal mines in Coventry?  Also was there a coal mine in the Holbrooks/Foleshill/Kersley area during WW1?

Charlotte

[Pat Reid]

Charlotte:
This might help:
http://www.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/ead/005.htm

And this:
From http://www.localhistories.org/keresley.html

"In 1871 the population of Keresley was 471. By 1901 it had risen to 536. In 1911 the population of Keresley was still only 689. Coundon was still a small agricultural village. It was less than half the size of Keresley.

Then in 1911 shafts were sunk by a coal mining company near Keresley. The coal mine began operating in 1917. As a result of the colliery a new settlement grew up by the colliery at Keresley Newland. Many new houses were built by the mining company for miners. By the standards of the time they were quite good houses. They had inside toilets, which was unusual for working class housing at that time. In 1924 a Social Club was formed for the miners. However mining was a low paid job and many people grew vegetables or kept livestock."

Pat

[charlotteuk]

Thanks for the information Pat.

I hadn't realised that area might still be rural in the early 20th century.  I was looking at coal mining as my grandfather had been an ag. labourer in Bubbenhall but I have a Holbrook Lane address and occupation as "Stoker Stationary Engine" for him in 1917. 

Charlotte

[animet]

It is still very rural up round where Keresley coal mine used to be. Keresley itself is on the edge of the city.

Anita