1900 - 1994

Silverwood Mine

Hollings Lane

Thrybergh

Facts, Stories and Features

THE BARLOW FAMILY

A presentation by Freda Bliss, Betty Barlow, and Harold Barber

LEONARD WILLIAM BARLOW
(Written by his daughter, Freda Bliss)

Born 18th January 1891at 34 Hooton Road, Kilnhurst, near Rotherham Probably began his career in the coal mining industry in Kilnhurst around 1905. Date of moving to Silverwood Colliery uncertain but he cycled from Kilnhurst to Silverwood each day, rising at 3.30a.m. to catch the 6 a.m. shift. Around 1925 he moved with his wife to live in Thrybergh and continued to work at the coal face at Silverwood until he became a Deputy on the Yarborough District. Times were hard in the General Strike of 1926. He was a Union Member but never a militant believing in negotiation rather than confrontation Shortly before World War II the pithead baths were a welcome innovation at Silverwood and I remember being shown round just before the official opening.
During WWII my father became Training Officer when Bevan Boys worked in the coal mines in preference to joining the Armed Services. He is 2nd from the left in the photograph. I think that this might be a schools visit as some of the boys look a bit young to be Bevan Boys.

My father attended Ambulance Classes in his younger days and later became a judge in the inter -colliery ambulance competitions. I think that the following photograph may be of the judges at one of these competitions. He is 2nd from the left

 (seated)

He retired in 1955 after 50 years loyal and devoted service to the mining industry spending some of his leisure hours fly-fishing at Thrybergh Reservoir. He died in March 1977

WILLIAM BARLOW
(written by his sister, Freda Bliss)

Born in 1925, the elder of three children. Worked in the Fitting Shop at Silverwood from the age of 15 until his death at the age of 49. He worked long hours, often at weekends to keep the headgear and other equipments in good working order.

LEONARD BARLOW
(Written by his widow, Betty Barlow)

Leonard was born in 1927, the 2nd son of Leonard William Barlow. He started work at Silverwood in 1947 after serving in the Fleet Air Arm. He did part-time study at Rotherham Technical College gaining a Colliery Under manager Certificate at age 28. Shortly afterwards he attended a 12 month, full-time, course for his Colliery Managers Certificate which was awarded at age 29.  He then completed 16 months of Directed Practical Training that included a month in the French Coal Field, and studied for a Certificate in Mining Engineering at the Dinnington College. He returned to Silverwood and worked there until he moved to Cortonwood Colliery as Under Manager
Len died suddenly on November 20th, age 78 years.

© The Barlow family

Like many miners of Silverwood the Barlows are still remembered today [ 2006]

George Clement writes:-

 "I was a deputy at Cortonwood under Len Barlow, he gave me a lot of encouragement in my career, he once invited me to his home to give me some mining text books which I still have and treasure. While at his home he showed me a sailing boat he had built in his back garden, I think he named it after his daughter.
I am sorry to read of his passing via your website, to me he was a gent. " George Clement george.clement@tiscali.co.uk  

 The Barlow's in 1881and 1901

By John Doxey

If I have it right Leonard W Barlow was the son of  William H Barlow also born in Kilnhurst. On the 1881 census four of the Barlow's are recorded as follows.
George Smith Head M Male 28 Sturton, Nottingham, England Coal Miner
Mary Smith Wife M Female 21 Rotherham, York, England
Fred Smith Son Male 1Kilnhurst, York, England
William H. Barlow Wife Bro Male 14 Kilnhurst, York, England Coal Miner
Ernest Barlow Wife Bro Male 8 Kilnhurst, York, England Scholar
Address Hooton Rd Terrace Sq
Census Place Rawmarsh, York, England
Public Records Office Reference RG11 Piece / Folio 4680 / 16 Page Number 2

Charles Orr Head M Male 45 Scotland Draper Employing 1 Man
Matilda Orr Wife M Female 45 Sheffield, York, England
Benjamin Muirhead Lodger U Male 25 Scotland (Draper)
James Muirhead Lodger U Male 21Scotland Draper
Ellen Orr Niece U Female 21 Scotland
Hugh Muirhead Assistant U Male 18 Scotland Draper Assistant
Emma Barlow Serv U Female 17 Kilnhurst, York, England Gen Serv
Address 137 Gell St
Census Place Ecclesall Bierlow, York, England
Public Records Office Reference RG11 Piece / Folio 4632 / 117 Page Number 19

From the above we learn that William H. and Ernest Barlow were brothers and were living with their married sister Mary Smith at Rawmarsh. Emma Barlow above had returned to Swinton by 1901 and apparently still unmarried.

Many thanks to Freda Bliss, Betty Barlow, and Harold Barber for their contributions to this site