Diglake Colliery

The Diglake Rescue Team

Let t' story o' their gallant deeds be towd wi' voice an' pen!

The men pictured below received special recognition for their attempts to rescue more men from the flooded mine. They descended several times into the icy cold water, looking for survivors, at great personal risk. Back row: G Tomkinson, C Rowley, John? Carter, Elisha Mayer Middle row: George Rowley, A Walker, Moses Barlow, Joseph Bateman, Richard Howle, John? Carter Front row: T Sproston, William Dodd (sitting, left), John Watts, (sitting middle), John Sproson (sitting right), John Boulton (standing right, hands in pockets).

William Dodd, undermanager of Diglake Colliery (aged 43 in 1895) William received a silver medal from the Royal Humane Society for his rescue attempts. He was also awarded the Albert Medal at Windsor Castle by Queen Victoria herself on 9th March 1895. William was responsible for saving many lives, at least 30, that morning at Diglake. It is estimated that he spent over five hours underground in various parts of the mine looking for survivors. "He's a hero that man is" - unknown miner, Tuesday 15th January 1895. William lived at Diglake House and was the treasurer for the local branch of the Ancient Order of Foresters. He died in 1907. 1891 Diglake St, Audley William Dodd (age illegible) coal miner Bickerton? Cheshire Elizabeth Dodd 56 Audley George Emberton lodger 49 clerk colliery 1881 Bignal Hill, Audley Benjamin Johnson 51 Chesterton colliery manager Elizabeth Johnson 53 Chesterton Fred Johnson 20 Chesterton colliery clerk Mary E Johnson 14 Audley Alice M Johnson 12 Audley William Dodd son in law, widower 29 Malpas Cheshire miner b1852 next door John Emberton 76 Audley farmer of 82 acres Rebecca Emberton 72 Wolstanton Hannah Emberton 42 Audley farmers daughter Elizabeth Emberton 40 Audley farmers daughter George Emberton son 39 Audley colliery clerk John Emberton son 35 Audley farmers son William Dodd married Ann Johnson 1873 Newcastle u Lyme civil marriage William Dodd married Elizabeth Emberton 1882 Newcastle u Lyme civil marriage Find out more about William... William Dodd, Joseph Bateman and John Carter were all members of the Ancient Order of Foresters, as were several of those who died at Diglake. Click here to read extracts from some of the publications of the Ancient Order of Foresters. Ancient Order of Foresters website	Sad was that Diglake disaster Seventy-seven returned to God; Yet it proved we h.ave amongst us Noble men - like William Dodd January 23rd 1895.
The Penny Illustrated News, 16th March 1895

John Watts (aged 32 in 1895) John, the underground manager, received a silver medal from the Royal Humane Society for his rescue attempts. He died in April 1951. 1901 John Watts 38 b Spotones colliery mgr Longton 1881 Warwick St, Chesterton George WATTS Head M Male 45 Poulton, Somerset, England Fireman Sarah WATTS Wife M Female 38 Ipstone, Stafford, England Wife John WATTS Son U Male 18 Ipstone, Stafford, England Coal Miner Emma WATTS Dau U Female 13 Ipstone, Stafford, England Dress Maker George WATTS Son U Male 11 Ipstone, Stafford, England Scholar Sarah WATTS Dau U Female 9 Tunstate, Stafford, England Scholar Annie WATTS Dau U Female 6 Chesterton, Stafford, England Scholar Bertha WATTS Dau U Female 5 Chesterton, Stafford, England Scholar James H. WATTS Son U Male 2 Chesterton, Stafford, England


Moses Barlow (aged 39 in Jan 1895) 1881 census Red Street, Chesterton George BOOTH Head M Male 39 Norton, Stafford, England Coal Miner Amey BOOTH Wife M Female 43 Talk O The Hill, Stafford, England Moses BARLOW Son In Law (Head) M Male 25 Wolstanton, Stafford, England Coal Miner Sarah BARLOW Daur Wife M Female 20 Longton, Stafford, England Mosses BARLOW Son M Male 3 Redstreet, Stafford, England Elizabeth BARLOW Daughter Female 1 Redstreet, Stafford, England Moses Barlow married Sarah A Booth at Northwood Holy Trinity in 1876.

Joseph Bateman (aged 23 in Jan 1895), of Chapel St. 1881 census Diglake St, Audley Joseph BATEMAN Head M Male 40 Wybunbury, Cheshire, England Coal Miner Elizabeth BATEMAN Wife M Female 42 Audley, Stafford, England Elizabeth EARDLEY Step Daur U Female 18 Audley, Stafford, England James BATEMAN Son U Male 15 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Joseph BATEMAN Son Male 9 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Susan A. BATEMAN Daur Female 3 Audley, Stafford, England Samuel BATEMAN Son Male 6 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar William EARDLEY Grandson Male 5 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar 1891 census Diglake St, Audley Joseph Bateman 50 colliery labourer Cheshire Wybunbury Elizabeth 51 Audley Samuel 15 coal miner Audley Susan A 13 Audley William Eardley gson 15 charcoal labourer Audley 1891 Chapel St, Audley Joseph Bateman 18 coal miner b Audley, Staffs Martha Bateman 22 b Wales, Welshpool Frederick Bateman 2 b Audley, Staffs Joseph married Martha Roberts at Audley St James in 1888. Martha's brother William Roberts (aged around 40) was killed at Diglake during the flood. He was one one of the men trapped by the rising water levels in the East 7 Foot seam. Joseph received a bronze medal for his rescue attempts. Aged just 23 at the time, after escaping from the 8-foot dip he stayed to help over 60 others climbing the air-shaft into the level. Joseph Bateman Senior married Elizabeth Eardley (formerly Taylor) at Audley St James in 1865.

John Boulton (aged 47 in Jan 1895) 1871 census Ravens Lane John Bolton 23 coal miner Audley Betsy 24 Audley Frances 4 Audley 1881 census Ravens Lane, Audley John Boulton 33 coal miner born Audley Betsy Boulton (wife) 34 Audley nee Webb? b 1847 Betsy Webb 1846 Audley John T Boulton (son) 9 Audley Anne Boulton (daughter) 6 Audley Maryann Boulton (daughter) 3 Audley Frances Boulton (daughter) 7 months Audley 1891 census Ravens Lane, Audley John Bolton 44 miner coal Audley Betsy 44 Audley John T 18 coal miner Audley Annie 16 Audley Frances 10 Audley Emma 5 Audley John was the miner who joined undermanager William Dodd in the initial search for survivors. He had been working as part of the small night shift at Diglake, checking the pit for problems, and on his way home from work at around 11 am he had stopped at the local pub, the Plough Inn. Upon hearing the colliery alarm sounded, John returned immediately where he tried to descend into the pit, only to find the cage was being lowered into water at the bottom. He returned to the surface and went back down via the No. 3 shaft where he met up with William Dodd. John and Betsy (Lizzie) later moved away from Audley to live in Yorkshire. John, who had been a miner for 40 years and had lived through three explosions, suffered for the rest of his life from being in the icy waters of the Pit, and in 1915 he became a dependent of the Diglake Disaster Relief Fund. He died on the 24th of April, 1923, aged 75. Inscription from the churchyard of St James, Audley: Ilmo Frances beloved daughter of John and Betsy Boulton of Ravens Lane, Audley, who departed this life 19/10/1877 aged 9years. So blooms the human face divine/When youth its love of beauty shows/Fairer than spring the colours shine/And sweeter than the virgin rose. Also Mary Ann daughter of the above who dtl 18/7/1887 aged 10years. Weep not for me my parents dear/I am not dead but sleeping here. Also Annie daughter of the above who dtl 27/2/1900 aged 25 years. Thy will be done. Also John Boulton who died 24/4/1923 aged 75 years. RIP. Also Betsy Boulton died 6/2/1935 aged 88 years. The Penny Illustrated News, 26th January 1895

John Carter (aged 32 in 1895) John Carter, like John Boulton, had been working on the night shift at Diglake, and was at home in bed in Miles Green when his step-son, Arthur Rowley, a teenager on the day shift, came rushing home with news of the flood. John at once ran to the No. 3 shaft at Boyles Hall where he met up with Boulton and Dodd. 1881 Wood St, Audley John CARTER Head M Male 48 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Harriet CARTER Wife M Female 47 Audley, Stafford, England George CARTER Son U Male 27 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner John CARTER Son U Male 18 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Mary J. CARTER Daur. Female 12 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Hannah CARTER Daur. Female 10 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Selina CARTER Daur. Female 8 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Phoebe CARTER Daur. Female 6 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar 1891 Gas Works (nr Hougher Wall) Audley John Carter 30 coal miner Audley Ann 37 Audley Arthur 18 coal miner Audley Elizabeth A Rowley 16 gen servant Audley John Carter married widow Ann E Rowley (nee Lockett) in 1886 (civil marriage, Newcastle under Lyme).

Amos Hinckley (aged 50 in Jan 1895) 1881 census Hope St, Audley Amos HINCKLEY Head M Male 36 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Elizabeth HINCKLEY Wife M Female 36 Audley, Stafford, England George HINCKLEY Son U Male 10 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Jane HINCKLEY Daur U Female 2 Audley, Stafford, England Amos married Elizabeth Dale in 1869 (civil marriage Newcastle L). Amos received a bronze medal for his rescue attempts.

Richard Howle (Hoole) of Red Street. Howle was able to save the life of the boy William Sproson (son of William Sproson the fireman, who died) by grabbing his hair as he was washed along the 10 foot dip. He had been standing at the bottom of the No. 1 shaft with a load at the time. 1881 Talke Pits Richard HOWLE Head M Male 45 Burslem Miner (C) Mary HOWLE Wife M Female 43 Gamaye Talke Pitts Wife Richard HOWLE Son U Male 15 Smallthorne Miner (C) George HOWLE Son Male 10 Smallthorne Scholar Earnest HOWLE Son Male 7 Audley Scholar Francis DALE Lodger (Boarder) M Male 22 Wolstanton Engin Fitter 1871 Jamage Richard Howl 34 miner Wolstanton Mary 32 Talke Richard 3 Norton in the Moor Staffs George 3m Norton in the Moor Richard had previously lived in America during the original Gold Rush. After Diglake, he left the mining industry.

Thomas Longshaw, colliery fireman Below are pictures of the Royal Humane Society Medal awarded to Thomas Longshaw, kindly supplied by his gggrandson, Duncan Edge. To date, this is the only known surviving RHS medal awarded to one of the men of Diglake. 1881 Rookery, Wolstanton Thos. LONGSHAW Head M Male 24 Brewhouse Bank, Stafford, England Coal Miner Mary LONGSHAW Wife M Female 21 Kidsgrove, Stafford, England Mary Jane LONGSHAW Dau U Female 2 Kidsgrove, Stafford, England 1871 Cobmoor (nr Brewhouse Bank), Wolstanton Henry Longshaw 36 coal carrier & farmer 3 acres Bales Bank Jane 34 Trubshaw Thomas 14 collier Cobmoor George 12 collier Cobmoor Mary Jane 9 Cobmoor James 6 Cobmoor Harry 4 Cobmoor Amos 2 Cobmoor Thomas Longshaw (above) died aged 45 in 1902, Newcastle-u-Lyme

John Johnson (aged 22 in 1895) 1881 Ravens Lane Isaac JOHNSON Head M Male 53 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Jane JOHNSON Wife M Female 52 Audley, Stafford, England Isaac JOHNSON Son U Male 25 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Benjamin JOHNSON Son U Male 20 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Mary JOHNSON Daur U Female 16 Audley, Stafford, England Thomas JOHNSON Son U Male 11 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar John H. JOHNSON Grandson U Male 8 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar John was sent by William Dodd to warn miners in the 8 foot workings. His grandfather was directed out of the pit by William Dodd via Boyles Hall shaft.

James Maddock (aged 50 in 1895) Werrington, Audley 1881 James MADDOCK Head M Male 36 Audley, Stafford, England Overlooker Coal Mine Betsy MADDOCK Wife M Female 33 Audley, Stafford, England Mary MADDOCK Daur U Female 12 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar James qualified as a colliery manager in 1884. In 1901, James was general manager of Bunkers Hill colliery, another pit owned by William Ribgy & Co.

George Rowley 1891 Wereton George Rowley 38 coal miner Audley Martha 37 Audley Edmund 14 colliery labourer Audley Enoch 11 Audley Mary E 7 Audley Joseph 9 Audley An article in the Sentinel some years ago tells the story of William Arthur Rowley. He was a coalface miner all his working life, and a survivor of the Diglake Pit flood disaster when he was 19. It goes on to say that he knew an escape route and took about 20 other miners to safety with him. It also mentions that his wife lost two brothers in the disaster - her maiden name was Taylor. William A Rowley married Mary A Taylor in 1895 (civil marriage in Newcastle u Lyme district). Below is a possible 1881 census entry for Mary A Taylor: Diglake St, Audley Richard TAYLOR Head M Male 48 Woore, Shropshire, England Coal Miner Hannah TAYLOR Wife M Female 45 Audley, Stafford, England Edna TAYLOR Daur U Female 20 Audley, Stafford, England Elijah TAYLOR Son U Male 17 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Arthur TAYLOR Son Male 13 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Mary A. TAYLOR Daur Female 11 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Ellen TAYLOR Daur Female 9 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Agnes TAYLOR Daur Female 7 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Richard TAYLOR Son Male 5 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar - killed at Diglake in 1895. Sarah TAYLOR Daur Female 3 Audley, Stafford, England Olive TAYLOR Daur Female 1 Audley, Stafford, England Thomas PLATT Father In Law M Male 83 Audley, Stafford, England Hannah PLATT Mother In Law M Female 78 Audley, Stafford, England And here is one for William Arthur Rowley: Queen St, Audley 1881 Josiah ROWLEY Head M Male 29 Audley, Stafford, England Coal Miner Ann E. ROWLEY Wife M Female 26 Audley, Stafford, England Elizabeth A. ROWLEY Daur U Female 7 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar William A. ROWLEY Son U Male 5 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar Could this be the same man who was awarded a medal for bravery?

John Sproston (aged 56 in Jan 1895) Undermanager of Diglake Colliery. 1881 census Church St, Chesterton John SPROSTON Head M Male 42 Wybunbury, Cheshire, England Coal Miner Eliza SPROSTON Wife M Female 49 Aublem, Cheshire, England Wife Laura SPROSTON Daur U Female 17 Audlem, Cheshire, England No Occupation Annie SPROSTON Daur U Female 15 Audley, Stafford, England Pupil Teacher Frederick SPROSTON Son Male 12 Audley, Stafford, England Scholar 1891 census Church St Chesterton John Sproston 52 coal miner Wybunbury Eliza 59 Audlem Laura 27 Audlem Fred 20 Drapers assistant Audley John was the brother of Thomas Sproson and William Sproson, and received a bronze medal for his rescue attempts. He lost two brothers (Thomas and William Sproson) and five nephews (Frank Thomas Sproson, Harry Clough, Aaron Johnson, James Platt, John Edmund Platt) at Diglake. Read more about John Sproston and his family.

Waist deep in th' ice-crowd stream below, these brave man labour on, Duty's their sole incentive, for good wark may be done. An' when they stop exhausted, a fresh band teks their place, An' sooa for five long days an' neets they feight death face to face. But when t'sixth day dawns on 'em their task they've to resign. Th' flood vanquishes these heroes then, an' victory rests wi't' mine. An' as they sadly turn away, their cheeks wi' tears are weet, Thinkin' o' th' fourscore should 'at lie entombed beneath their feet.
From the Diglake Disaster Fund Accounts Book (c. Stoke on Trent Archives)