ALLERTON BYWATER COLLIERY’S ROLL OF HONOUR

Allerton Bywater Colliery’s Roll of Honour, a commemorative plaque that lists the names of one hundred and ten employees of the colliery who lost their lives in the First World War, has found a new home at the villages Methodist Church.

This mining symbol was dedicated into the church in a very moving ceremony conducted by the reverend Jim Heap on Sunday 28th November 1993 at 3pm. The large congregation was also addressed by Mr Kenneth Westmoreland, the last manager of the colliery, who spoke of the sacrifice that these men gave in the service of their country.

Mr Stan Jones then spoke of the history of the colliery and the importance of mining to our community. He also paid tribute to the 83 men who lost their lives during the mines 117 years of production.

Following the reading of the New Testament Lesson by M/s Christine Milner, the last Branch Secretary of Allerton Silkstone N.U.M, Mr Clive Cowell, gave the trade union’s response. In an informative but hard hitting speech he described the workforces respect for the men who lost their lives, stating that some N.U.M. members had requested that this symbol of theirs should be displayed in one of the churches in the village. He also spoke of the devastation of unemployment in mining communities created by decisions taken in parliament and also reflected on the future prospects of our village.

Further information:

The Banner was paid for by the company and the workforce. It was hung in the entrance to the pithead baths for many years and was then moved into the new 1970’s colliery canteen. The moving of the Banner, to a dryer and safer place, was a request to management, via the Union, by the men who considered that its condition was deteriorating in the damp atmosphere of the bathhouse.

When the colliery was announced to close in February 1991, on a phased closure program, various groups of men requested that the Allerton Silkstone Branch of the NUM make sure that the Banner was saved and displayed in one of the religious institutions in the village of Allerton Bywater. The Branch took this request to the colliery management. The Banner is currently on display in the Methodist Church.

ROLL OF HONOUR

FIRST WORLD WAR

1914 – 1918