Mr Kelly

Started down the pit at thirteen, looking after horses, boy scared him with story of pit ghost. First wages, given to mam, used pocket money to go to the theatre. Walked two miles to work, had ten brothers and sisters. Conditions, cavils, seams, pits getting flooded, confined spaces, wooden props creaking, areas under housing. Leisure - pubs, clubs, illegal pitch and toss games (village police usually ignored). Was in territorials, joined to get a holiday! 1926 lockout. Not paid for holidays. Union meetings. Getting "free" coals and housing, tied housing. Courting areas.

Location: Ferryhill, Byers Green
County: Durham
AUD1983-228

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