What is his job?

[CarolineLittle]

Mine ?  Engineer  ?

Living in Linkinhorne, Cornwall at the time if it helps.

[manukarik]

Mine Engine Driver

I think this means he operated the winding engine/machinery to lower men down into the mine and back up again.

[CarolineLittle]

TY, would that be 2 separate jobs do you think or one?

[manukarik]

One job, I would think. Lots of examples online if you search for Winding Engine or Winding Engine Driver.

[CarolineLittle]

Thank you, I'll go Google!

[SMJ]

It's one job and a specialist one too.

After 1881 or so some census entries distinguish surface engines describing them as horizontal or stationary engines. It is possible he may have driven one of the narrow gauge engines used underground - difficult to be sure. Surface and underground workers were paid different rates of pay.

I have a few Mining Engine Drivers my family working in the Leicestershire coal mines.

[CarolineLittle]

Very interesting, thank you for sharing.  He'd been a miner for at least 20 year by then so he proved himself worthy of a better position for sure.

[ColinBignell]

Mine Engine Driver

I think this means he operated the winding engine/machinery to lower men down into the mine and back up again.

Being Cornwall, depending on the era, it could have been a man engine, rather than winding gear.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_engine