Charles Victor Lockley
Died 4 July 1940 at Roanhead Mine
In loving memory of CHARLES VICTOR beloved husband of ALICE LOCKLEY Born July 13th 1904 Accidentally killed at Roanhead Mines July 4th 1940
Where is the grave?
Due south of the old South Chapel, at the beginning of the last section on the left..
North Western Daily Mail, Thursday 4 July 1940ROANHEAD MINER KILLED
FATAL FALL OF IRON-ORE
MR.C. V. LOCKLEY, OF DALTON
Whilst following his employment as an iron-ore miner at Nigel Pit, Roanhead Iron Mines, at 7.30 this morning, Charles Victor Lockley, of 18, Crooklands Brow, Dalton, was fatally injured by a fall of iron ore. About a ton of material fell on him, and as he was uncovered right away by his workmates, death must have taken place instantaneously.
Born in Barrow 35 years ago, Mr. Lockley was brought up in Askam, and had resided in Dalton a number of years. In his younger days he played with the Dalton Rugby team, and he was a keen billiards player. A skilled and enthusiastic ambulance man, he won many prizes in the miners’ and quarrymen’s competitions and one year was captain of the shield winning team.
He leaves a widow and one child.
North Western Daily Mail, Monday 6 July 1940KILLED BY A TON OF ORE
That a ton of iron ore slipped off the ‘face’ or ‘forebreast’ in a Nigel Pit iron-ore working at Roanhead was stated at a Dalton inquest yesterday to have caused the death of Charles Victor Lockley, a miner, of 18, Crooklands-brow, Dalton, on Thursday.
Sitting with the Coroner, Mr. F.W. Poole, was Mr. W. Gray, B.Sc., of St. Bees, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Mr. F.B. Hart-Jackson, solicitor, and Mr. C. Severs, manager, represented Messrs. Kennedy Bros., the mine owners; and Mr. Jas. Pickavance, the Miners’ and Quarrymen’s Union.
WORKMATE’S EVIDENCE
After evidence that Lockley was 35 years of age and had been employed in the mines since youth, John Postlethwaite, of 8, Hall-street, Dalton, said he was working with the deceased just before the accident. The forebreast was about eight feet wide. Witness was on the left and deceased, who was about three feet away, was scraping the loose ore way from the floor with his spade, practically touching the forebreast with his head. All at once, a big clod came off the face, of about a ton in weight, and it fell on deceased’s back, pinning him to the floor and leaving only his head and right shoulder visible. Witness immediately called for aid, and with four men, got deceased out. He noticed Lockley’s right eye was badly bruised and spoke to him, but got no reply.
By the Inspector: The last shot there would have been fired at about five o’clock by the last shift, and he did not think that would have anything to do with it.
GREASY ORE
William Myers, underground foreman, of 63, Steel-street, Askam, said Lockley went down the mine at 6 a.m. and started work at 6.15 a.m. Witness examined the place at 6.30 a.m. and found all in order.
By the Inspector: The timbers were 2ft 6ins. or 3 ft. apart, but this fall, coming from the face, did not affect them. It was greasy ore that had come out, from five and seven feet above the face.
By the Coroner: Lockley was a steady man, and one that witness could trust. The last shot would have been fired by the night set at about 5.30, and witness did not think that had anything to do with the accident.
NO WARNING
The Coroner: Does a fall give any warning? – Inspector: No. P.C. J.R. Garbutt spoke of the extensive bruises on the body.
Returning a verdict that he found this man died of injuries accidentally received when he was caught by this clod of ore falling out of the forebreast, the Coroner said it seemed the work was being carried out in a very satisfactory manner, and it was one of those unfortunate accidents which did from time to time occur, though they had fortunately been free from them a number of years. He was very sorry for the family, and he was sure that Messrs. Kennedy were sorry to lose a good workman.
Mr. F. B. Hart-Jackson said that Messrs. Kennedy were very sorry, and distressed at the loss of a good workman in the prime of life. They wished to express sincere sympathy with the relatives.
North Western Daily Mail, Monday 8 July 1940LATE MR. C. V. LOCKLEY
FUNERAL OF ROANHEAD TRAGEDY VICTIM
The remains of the late Mr. Chas. Victor Lockley, of 18, Crooklands-brow, Dalton, were laid to rest in the Dalton Cemetery yesterday in the presence of a large gathering of mourners. About 130 miners and quarrymen from Roanhead, Newton, and Stainton, walked in front of the hearse, and ambulance workmates were the bearers. The last rites in Our Lady’s Church and at the graveside were conducted by the Rev. Father E. McGough.
(List of mourners)
Amongst the numerous wreaths were those from Col. and Mrs. Kennedy and staff, Lads from the Shops, Furness Miners’ and Quarrymen’s Ambulance Corps, Crooklands neighbours, Roanhead Ambulance Corps, Pals in Roanhead Mines, and the Dalton Welfare Centre.
