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Full Details

Surname
ALLAN
Forename
John
Day
15
Month
10
Year
1915
Age
60
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Foulford, No.1 Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Fife Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Cowdenbeath
County
Fifeshire
Details of Event
15 October 1915: Cowdenbeath Miner Killed - John Allan, miner, Park Street, Cowdenbeath, was instantaneously killed by a large stone falling upon him while he was engaged doing repair work in Foulford Pit, Cowdenbeath colliery, on Friday, night. He was 60 years of age and a widower. [Scotsman 18 October 1915] Cowdenbeath Miner Killed - John Allan, miner, a widower, 60 years of age, who resided with his daughter in Park Street was accidentally killed while at work in Foulford Pit on Friday night. Allan was struck by a stone crushing him to the “pavement” causing instantaneous death. [Dunfermline Journal 23 October 1915] Charge Against Fife Colliery Manager - The evidence was concluded yesterday in the mining prosecution at Dunfermline Sheriff Court arising out of an accident at No. 1 Foulford Pit, worked by the Fife Coal Company, Limited, whereby a workman named John Allan was killed by a "fall" of stone from the roof. John Gray, certificated colliery manager, residing at Foulford Road, Cowdenbeath, was charged with having (1) neglected to make secure the roof of a travelling road and working-place in the 14-feet seam of the Leuchatsbeath section of the pit; (2) at two places on said road permitted an interval between the roof bars to exceed the 4-feet maximum prescribed by the propping notice issued by him as manager; and (3) although props and chocks were part of the system used to support the roof at the working face, neglected to have the roof under which the work of getting coal or filling tubs was carried on systematically and adequately supported. The other accused was John Rodger, pit fireman, Berry Street, Lochgelly, and he was charged with having neglected to properly inspect every part of his inspection district, and to ascertain the condition thereof, so far as the roof and general safety were concerned. For the defence, David Archibald, manager of Lassodie Collieries, said he visited Foulford Pit, and found there was an extra good roof. He would have done precisely as the management had done in regard to the propping of the roof. Henry Rowan, managing agent for the Fife Coal Company in the Cowdenbeath district, said he had been in charge of Foulford Pit for nine years. He regarded the measures adopted in the pit as ample for the support of the workings. Chocks could not be used at the spot where the accident happened. The Sheriff reserved judgment. [Dundee Courier - Saturday 25 March 1916]