Diglake Colliery Survivors

Survivors The flood at Diglake Colliery claimed 77 lives; but there were others who survived whose lives were nevertheless permanently affected by the events of 14th January 1895. I have split these into three categories: Members of the Rescue Party, Beneficiaries of the Diglake Disaster Relief Fund and others mentioned in the newspaper and inquest reports. The following men died not die in Diglake pit; however their lives were forever changed by the disaster and they are listed as beneficiaries of the Diglake Disaster Relief Fund.

Daniel Lovatt Daniel Lovatt died 2nd November 1897 from the effects of shock to nervous system caused by the Diglake Disaster. Widow Lovatt's claim was admitted at the annual meeting of the Relief Committee on 15th February 1898. Margaret Lovatt (born 1841) died on 8th November 1905. Daniel Lovatt married Margaret Leighton in 1861 at Chesterton Holy Trinity. 1881 census Briery Brook, Audley Daniel LOVATT Head M Male 44 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Margaret LOVATT Wife M Female 40 Audley, Stafford, England John LOVATT Son U Male 19 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Local Methodist Preacher Elizabeth LOVATT Daur Female 12 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Mary LOVATT Daur Female 10 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Sarah A. LOVATT Daur Female 6 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Ellen LOVATT Daur Female 3 Audley, Stafford, England Frederick W. LOVATT Son Male 1 Audley, Stafford, England 1891 census Briery Brook Daniel Lovatt 54 coal miner Alsagers Bank Margaret 50 Audley Fredd 11 Audley

William and Frank Mayer Both in pit at time of disaster, father (William) did no work independently owing to shock?. Frank the son not well at the time gradually developed into a confirmed invalid. Admitted to benefits February /11 7/6 per week dating from 26 January /11. Frank Mayer died about 3rd June 1911. 1881 census Chapel St Audley William MAYER Head M Male 38 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Harriet MAYER Wife M Female 39 Audley, Stafford, England Mary MAYER Daur U Female 18 Audley, Stafford, England Eliza MAYER Daur U Female 17 Audley, Stafford, England Thomas MAYER Son U Male 15 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Jacob MAYER Son Male 12 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar George MAYER Son Male 10 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar William MAYER Son Male 8 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Joseph MAYER Son Male 5 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Frank MAYER Son Male 9 m Audley, Stafford, England

Alfred Mayer Brother lost in Disaster, Alfred paralysed in one arm and one leg from infancy, living with widowed mother, admitted to benefits of 7/6 a week from 26 Jan /11. Died 28th August 1913. Alfred William Mayer was born in 1886, the younger brother of Samuel Mayer who died at Diglake. 1891 census Chapel St, Audley Elisha Mayer 45 collier Audley Elizabeth 46 Audley Elisha 19 collier Audley Wilmot 17 collier Audley Lavinia 15 Audley Samuel 12 Audley Alfred 4 Audley Ernest 1 Audley Elisha Mayer died in 1905 aged 60

John Riley At the date of the disaster, Riley was in ill health and partly dependent on his son who was lost in the Diglake Pit. The committee decided to grant 5/ per week from 26 February for such period as may be thought desirable. Pay raised to 7/ per week April 1917. Approximate age in 1913 - 65. Died 25th April 1930.

John Boulton At the disaster, Boulton was prominently engaged in rescue work and repairing afterwards. His being obliged in the water caused his incapacity. Grant of 5/ per week from 27th February 1915 increased to 6/ per week 26 February 1916. Pay raised to 7/ per week April 1917. Approximate age in 1915 - 67 (born 1848). Boulton died April 1923, buried April 27th.

George Burgess Burgess was prominently engaged in rescue work at the time of the Disaster and repairing work afterwards and consequently was obliged to be in the water and his present capacity is due to this. Granted 5/ a week from 27 February 1915, increased to 6/ per week from 26 February 1916. pay increased to 7/ April 1917. Approximate age in 1915 - 52 (born 1863). George Burgess died 21st April 1933. 1881 Bignall Hill Audley Thomas BURGESS Head M Male 50 Audley, Stafford, England Colliery Engine Driver Elizabeth BURGESS Wife M Female 49 Wybunbury, Cheshire, England Harriet BURGESS Daur U Female 21 Audley, Stafford, England Domestic Servant George BURGESS Son U Male 18 Audley, Stafford, England Blacksmith Thomas BURGESS Son Male 9 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Eveline A. BURGESS Grand Daur Female 1 Audley, Stafford, England

George Cooper Cooper was in the Diglake Pit at the time of the disaster and has suffered from shock ever since. Committee decided on recommendation of Messrs W Rigby, R A Wood and E Latham to make a grant of 2/6 per week dating from 27 February 1915, increased to 6/2 per week from 26 February 1916. Pay increased to 7/ April 1917. Approximate age in 1915 - 68 (born 1847). George Cooper died in September 1921 and it was decided that the grant be continued to the widow. Mrs Cooper died 26th May 1933. 1881 census Wood Lane Audley George COOPER Head M Male 34 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Anglina COOPER Wife M Female 30 Audley, Stafford, England Ann COOPER Daur Female 8 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Thomas COOPER Son Male 7 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Joseph COOPER Son Male 4 Audley, Stafford, England John COOPER Son Male 2 Audley, Stafford, England