Catalogue

Interview
103, MA200/113/113
Mantle Oral History Project

Speaker: Harris, George (Ernie), 1914 - , Interviewee, Male, Coal miner,
Speaker: Carswell, J., Interviewer, Female

Summary of interview item: Recalls early family life including father's work at Groby stone quarry and Desford coal mine and mother taking in washing. Describes job he did before and after school. Describes Sunday school attendance at Bagwoth Baptist church and his church membership throughout his life, including describing the church and sermons. Remembers starting work at Desford colliery, detailing his work sorting coal on the screens and his move into the workshop. Describes in some detail Desford colliery, who it was run by, pit ponies and screening plant. Talks further on his work at the pit head and eventually move into engineering. Talks about his union membership in the Shopmen, Winders and Boiler Firemen's Union, also recalls the miners' strike in 1926. Recalls the changes that occurred with the advent of the Second World War. Talks about the blackout, Home Guard and Bevin Boys. Recalls the bus transport used to transport miners. Describes payment system at Desford pit and how a man was electrocuted. Interview with wife also recorded see: 000105 MA200/115/115
Place of birth: Ratby, Leicestershire
Education: Bagworth Council school
Marital Status: Married, Children: Son: 1 Daughter: 1
Father's Occupation: Blacksmith
Mother's Occupation: Housewife
Location: County: Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Desford, Bagworth
Periods Covered: 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
Language: English

Recording Date: 8/6/1991
Playing time:
Access Restrictions: Full clearance Item Copyright: EMOHA
Summary: Yes
Transcription: No
Copies: yes
Cross Reference: see 00105 MA200/115/115

Page Automatically Generated

Use the browser's back button to return to the previous screen.

Home>>Catalogue>>Search


Last updated: 08/05/02 East Midland Oral History Archive Web maintainer This document has been approved by the head of department or section.