THURCROFT VILLAGE
The story of Thurcroft Village starts with the map above from 1903, The Rothervale Coal Company decided to have shafts sunk and start coal mining in this area. As can be seen on the map above by the two red areas marked out for the Colliery site and for the formation of a Village to house the workers. An area just to the east of New Orchard Farm was chosen for the pit surface buildings and the early village was to be built to the south of the ancient country cross roads in the shaded area marked in pencil ( colliery village ). Housing was urgently needed for the expected work force. House's were built on Woodhouse Green, John Street, Charles Street, and West Street areas, from there the village expanded over the years. The area of Thurcroft how ever goes back to at least the 13th century with Thurcroft being recorded as a settlement in 1319. Farming was the main occupation in the area until the Colliery shafts were sunk. Sawnmoor, Green Arbour, and New Orchard Farms being the early ones then Steadfoulds Farm later on. The aim of the web site is to try and log as much information as possible about the village and with your help and the loan of your Photograph's and any other documents that you might have we can. If you can help with any Photo's, all aspects of village life, outings, buildings, street party's, school photos, festivals, concert party, any thing at all that we can put on the site that's relative to Thurcroft Please get in touch. Please have a look at all the village pages and photo's, i hope you have as much enjoyment looking at the site as i have had putting it together, with a special thank you to all the people who have and still are helping me with photo's, names, information, etc. Let's try and leave a little of what we know for future generations, thank you.
Best Regards, Fred Gething
email [email protected] phone 01709542461
The story of Thurcroft Village starts with the map above from 1903, The Rothervale Coal Company decided to have shafts sunk and start coal mining in this area. As can be seen on the map above by the two red areas marked out for the Colliery site and for the formation of a Village to house the workers. An area just to the east of New Orchard Farm was chosen for the pit surface buildings and the early village was to be built to the south of the ancient country cross roads in the shaded area marked in pencil ( colliery village ). Housing was urgently needed for the expected work force. House's were built on Woodhouse Green, John Street, Charles Street, and West Street areas, from there the village expanded over the years. The area of Thurcroft how ever goes back to at least the 13th century with Thurcroft being recorded as a settlement in 1319. Farming was the main occupation in the area until the Colliery shafts were sunk. Sawnmoor, Green Arbour, and New Orchard Farms being the early ones then Steadfoulds Farm later on. The aim of the web site is to try and log as much information as possible about the village and with your help and the loan of your Photograph's and any other documents that you might have we can. If you can help with any Photo's, all aspects of village life, outings, buildings, street party's, school photos, festivals, concert party, any thing at all that we can put on the site that's relative to Thurcroft Please get in touch. Please have a look at all the village pages and photo's, i hope you have as much enjoyment looking at the site as i have had putting it together, with a special thank you to all the people who have and still are helping me with photo's, names, information, etc. Let's try and leave a little of what we know for future generations, thank you.
Best Regards, Fred Gething
email [email protected] phone 01709542461
Thurcroft village, Time Line.
Any help with date's would be appreciated as will any date's of particular interest to this section.
1319, First official record of a settlement at Thurcroft.
1699, The present Thurcroft Hall built.
1699, The present Thurcroft Hall built.
1864, The Shepard Family took charge of Green Arbour Farm. 1908, Posting Office opens in Thurcroft.
1909, August 26th, Work starts on (No2) Upcast Shaft ( shonkey) Thurcroft Colliery.
1909, August 26th, Work starts on (No2) Upcast Shaft ( shonkey) Thurcroft Colliery.
1909, November 4th, Work starts on (No1) Downcast Shaft.
1913. Brickyard behind the Pit supplying bricks for Colliery and Village.
1913, Planing permission sought for House Building in Thurcroft. Designed by Rotherham architect J. E. Knight.
1913, West Street. Peter Street. John Street. Charles Street. Woodhouse Green. Katherine Street were being built.
1914, Temporary School built, to save children from having to use the school at Laughton.
1914, War Declared, Start of World War I.
1915, Wooden Structures were erected for the Church Mission, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, School, Co-op.
1913. Brickyard behind the Pit supplying bricks for Colliery and Village.
1913, Planing permission sought for House Building in Thurcroft. Designed by Rotherham architect J. E. Knight.
1913, West Street. Peter Street. John Street. Charles Street. Woodhouse Green. Katherine Street were being built.
1914, Temporary School built, to save children from having to use the school at Laughton.
1914, War Declared, Start of World War I.
1915, Wooden Structures were erected for the Church Mission, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, School, Co-op.
1916, Two Stone Cottages knocked into one to make The Miners Institute.
1917. Coke Ovens started at the Pit.
1917/18, The Villas close to the Pit, (Houses for management) were being built.
1918, World War I comes to an end.
1918, Rother Valley MP, Mr Thomas Walter Grundy. 1918 -- 1935.
1921/4 Green Arbour Road being built.
1921, New Wooden Church, St Simon and St Jude opens on 28th October 1921, later to be used as the Church Hall.
1921, Miners Institute changed to The Thurcroft Main Colliery Institute.
1921, Thurcroft Cinema being built.
1922, Doctor George S. L. Kemp. First resident practitioner in Thurcroft.
1923. Bus service passing through Thurcroft to Rotherham.
1923. Parish of Brampton and Laughton were joined to form the civil parish of Thurcroft
1924, The Thurcroft Hotel opens.
1920s. Burial ground established.
1917. Coke Ovens started at the Pit.
1917/18, The Villas close to the Pit, (Houses for management) were being built.
1918, World War I comes to an end.
1918, Rother Valley MP, Mr Thomas Walter Grundy. 1918 -- 1935.
1921/4 Green Arbour Road being built.
1921, New Wooden Church, St Simon and St Jude opens on 28th October 1921, later to be used as the Church Hall.
1921, Miners Institute changed to The Thurcroft Main Colliery Institute.
1921, Thurcroft Cinema being built.
1922, Doctor George S. L. Kemp. First resident practitioner in Thurcroft.
1923. Bus service passing through Thurcroft to Rotherham.
1923. Parish of Brampton and Laughton were joined to form the civil parish of Thurcroft
1924, The Thurcroft Hotel opens.
1920s. Burial ground established.
1924, The Cottage Garden and Allotment Association is formed.
1925, Thurcroft Council School opens.
1925, Thurcroft Parish Council meetings held in Cinema, until Welfare Hall Opens.
1925, Thurcroft Miners Welfare Hall opens, this houses the Memorial Library. The War Memorial unveiled by General Sir Charles Harrington, York & Lank's, Main Hall used for Family events, Dances, Weddings etc.
1925, Recreation Ground opens. Wooden School Rooms being demolished.
1925, Midland Bank opens a branch in Thurcroft in September of this year.
1926, Laughton Rd. Crescent and Crescent End. Stead folds Lane being built
1926, May. Miners Strike starts over pay cuts demanded by the Coal Owners.
1926, Soup Kitchens in operation at the newly built Miners Welfare Hall.
1926, Thurcroft branch of the Mothers Union started.
1926, Methodist Wesleyan Chapel built on Woodhouse Green.
1925, Thurcroft Council School opens.
1925, Thurcroft Parish Council meetings held in Cinema, until Welfare Hall Opens.
1925, Thurcroft Miners Welfare Hall opens, this houses the Memorial Library. The War Memorial unveiled by General Sir Charles Harrington, York & Lank's, Main Hall used for Family events, Dances, Weddings etc.
1925, Recreation Ground opens. Wooden School Rooms being demolished.
1925, Midland Bank opens a branch in Thurcroft in September of this year.
1926, Laughton Rd. Crescent and Crescent End. Stead folds Lane being built
1926, May. Miners Strike starts over pay cuts demanded by the Coal Owners.
1926, Soup Kitchens in operation at the newly built Miners Welfare Hall.
1926, Thurcroft branch of the Mothers Union started.
1926, Methodist Wesleyan Chapel built on Woodhouse Green.
1927, January. Miners strike ends at Thurcroft.
1928 Easter, Methodist Chapel Ordained.
1928 approx, Old peoples bungalows built near Sawnmoor Farm
1928, Vicarage built on Green Arbour Rd.
1930s, Houses were built at Sawn Moor Ave, School Road, Waverly Ave, Morthern Villas Green Arbour Rd.
1935, Rother Vally MP. Mr Edward Dunn, 1935 -- 1945, died in office.
1937, October 2nd, Foundation Stone laid at the new St Simon and St Jude church.
1938, Pit Head Baths opened, Miners to bath at work instead of going home to wash in their muck.
1939, War Declared, the start of World War II.
1940, Due to it's popularity the Library is moved from the Miner Welfare Hall across the road to Green Arbour Road.
1944, First Bevin Boys called up to work in the Pits.
1945, World War II comes to an end.
1945 Rother Valley MP. Mr David Griffiths. 1945 -- 1970.
1946, Original Catholic Church built.
1947, Coal Mines in Great Britain nationalised (NCB)
1947, Doctor J. O'Hara takes up residence at, 86 Katherine Road and conducts his Surgery from there.
1948, July 5th, All Medical practitioners nationalized to become part of the NHS.
1948, Last Bevin Boys Demobed.
1928 Easter, Methodist Chapel Ordained.
1928 approx, Old peoples bungalows built near Sawnmoor Farm
1928, Vicarage built on Green Arbour Rd.
1930s, Houses were built at Sawn Moor Ave, School Road, Waverly Ave, Morthern Villas Green Arbour Rd.
1935, Rother Vally MP. Mr Edward Dunn, 1935 -- 1945, died in office.
1937, October 2nd, Foundation Stone laid at the new St Simon and St Jude church.
1938, Pit Head Baths opened, Miners to bath at work instead of going home to wash in their muck.
1939, War Declared, the start of World War II.
1940, Due to it's popularity the Library is moved from the Miner Welfare Hall across the road to Green Arbour Road.
1944, First Bevin Boys called up to work in the Pits.
1945, World War II comes to an end.
1945 Rother Valley MP. Mr David Griffiths. 1945 -- 1970.
1946, Original Catholic Church built.
1947, Coal Mines in Great Britain nationalised (NCB)
1947, Doctor J. O'Hara takes up residence at, 86 Katherine Road and conducts his Surgery from there.
1948, July 5th, All Medical practitioners nationalized to become part of the NHS.
1948, Last Bevin Boys Demobed.
1952, Doctor H. Lyle joins Dr O'Hara in practice at Katherine Road,
1952/3 Osbert Drive being built.
1953, Large Street Party's in celebration of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
1950s, Ivanhoe Estate being built, Streets named after Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe.
1958, New infants School being built on Locksley Drive.
1959, Dances held in Miners Welfare Hall for young pop fans
1960, Ivanhoe Pub opens.
1961, Catholic Church replaced by a modern structure.
1965, Official opening of Garden of Remembrance.
1966, New Doctors Sugary and Clinic built at the bottom of Locksley Drive.
1967, New refurbished Thurcroft Miners Colliery Institute (bottom club) opens. on original site.
1967, Four new shops built on Katherine Street, one is a Laundrette.
1968, Midland Bank Closed, formally Williams Deacons Bank.
1968, New Brick works plant being built on Pit Lane.
1970, Thurcroft Industrial Estate opens.
1970, Rother Valley MP, Mr Peter Hardy 1970 -- 1983, then the boundry changes.
1971, Wood Bastow factory opens, about this time Hoskins Pickled Onion factory is in production.
1971 Double Barrel Pub opens.
1971 Thurcroft secondary school children now attend the new school at Wales.
1972, Pillsbury Dough a (USA) company opens a factory at the top of pit lane.
1975. Copeland Lodge opens, named after Rev J.W.A. Copeland.
1982. Gorden Bennett Village Hall built
1982. Dr Jack O Hara, Village Doctor retires in October of this year.
1983, New Years Day, Gorden Bennett Memorial Hall Opened.
1952/3 Osbert Drive being built.
1953, Large Street Party's in celebration of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
1950s, Ivanhoe Estate being built, Streets named after Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe.
1958, New infants School being built on Locksley Drive.
1959, Dances held in Miners Welfare Hall for young pop fans
1960, Ivanhoe Pub opens.
1961, Catholic Church replaced by a modern structure.
1965, Official opening of Garden of Remembrance.
1966, New Doctors Sugary and Clinic built at the bottom of Locksley Drive.
1967, New refurbished Thurcroft Miners Colliery Institute (bottom club) opens. on original site.
1967, Four new shops built on Katherine Street, one is a Laundrette.
1968, Midland Bank Closed, formally Williams Deacons Bank.
1968, New Brick works plant being built on Pit Lane.
1970, Thurcroft Industrial Estate opens.
1970, Rother Valley MP, Mr Peter Hardy 1970 -- 1983, then the boundry changes.
1971, Wood Bastow factory opens, about this time Hoskins Pickled Onion factory is in production.
1971 Double Barrel Pub opens.
1971 Thurcroft secondary school children now attend the new school at Wales.
1972, Pillsbury Dough a (USA) company opens a factory at the top of pit lane.
1975. Copeland Lodge opens, named after Rev J.W.A. Copeland.
1982. Gorden Bennett Village Hall built
1982. Dr Jack O Hara, Village Doctor retires in October of this year.
1983, New Years Day, Gorden Bennett Memorial Hall Opened.
the unlooking of England 1983, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel sold to Acro Sports club.
1983, Windsor Shoes opens (next to double barrel.
1983, Rother Valley MP, Mr Kevin ( Later Sir ) Barron, 1983 to 2019,
1984, March, Thurcroft Pit along with the majority of the Coal Mines in the Country starts a 12 months strike,ending in March 1985.
1987, Gordon Bennett village Hall extended to include Lounge Bar and Council chambers.
1989, Thurcroft Library moved to inside of Thurcroft Junior School.
1991. Dr Lyle, Village Doctor retired.
1991/2, December, Thurcroft Colliery stopped production. pit closed down,all surface buildings demolished over the
next 9 months, only Managers block left standing.
1992, Brickworks plant closes.
1993. Village Surgery opens on Laughtom Rd, by Peter Elliott, ( Sports person, athlete )
2007, Mrs Sandra Brockley, awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List.
2009, August. Thurcroft celebrates it's 100th anniversery,
2009, Thurcroft Hotel closed and the building pulled down.
2010, Ivanhoe Public House closes it's doors for the last time, and awaits demolition.
2012, Thurcroft awarded £1,000,000,( £100,000 per year ) Big Local set up to improve village.
2012, Mrs Connie Shepherd, awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List.
2013, Large house building estate being built at bottom of Laughton Road.
2013, Ivanhoe Pub is demolished in September of this year. 8 Houses being built on same plot. (Ivanhoe Court)
2014, January, Mr Joseph and Mrs Muriel Newton celebrate 70yrs of Happy Marriage. Mrs Newton has lived in the village 91 years.
2014, A substantial new housing project has began at the bottom of Laughton Road called The Hedgerows, were a
large number of new houses are to be built on greenbelt land.
2017, Thurcroft Post Office on Woodhouse Green is closed, and is re-located in G T News on Green Arbour Road.
2017, Thurcroft Cricket pavilion on Orchard Lane knocked down and a new building, Sports complex, called the
Thurcroft Hub built in it's place.
2017, New housing being built at the bottom of Zamour Drive, behind the houses on Ivanhoe Road.
2017, New shops being built onthe site of the demolished Thurcroft Hotel,Open April 2018.
2018, New shops and Cafe opened on the old Thurcroft Hotel site including Post Office counter.
2019, Memorial Obelisk erected in Remembrance Garden, for all Miners killed at Thurcroft Pit.
2019, After a sweeping victory at the General Election the Conservatives have won a number of seats in this area others
**** Mr Alexander Stafford, ( conservative ) is our new Member of Parliament for Rother Valley. *****
2020. Covid 19, a new virus starts spreding around the world from start of this year, it starts in China, known as coronavirus is killing people in their thousands. Lockdown is implimented in most countries, Factorys, Schools. Pubs, Cinemas are all closed, millions of workers are unable to work, some getting help with moneys from the government.
It has took upto end of May beginning of June to see some shops, Car Sales, and sport to start to make a come back, Horse Racing and Snooker first to start but no spectators allowed at any event, social distancing is still the norm, 2meter
between people where ever possible. some people refust to follow this rule and are going to Coast and beauty spots in large numbers. The government are trying to stop this virus making a come back among the population.
Monday 6th July most shops etc are allowed to open today, but there are still pockets of the virus around and local lock down is in operation. July, Some sports, Football, Grand Prix Car and Motorbike racing has started again but no fans allowed in the stadiums. Talk of an antidote to the virus may be found by this Christmas or early in 2021. August. schools are getting ready to reopen in september, outbreaks are still ocuring in places and local lock down is taking place. All venuews that are open have only a few people watching due to having to use social distancing. The government are trying to get people back to work, the high streets are almost empty and lots of business are going out and closing down.
As of October 2020, the virus is back and lockdowns are being put in place in several areas of the U, K. and other countrys around the world. Social gatherings are being resticted to 6 persons in the same house hold with very little social intereactions between friends and neighbours. Pubs are to shut down by 10pm and restaurant are being hit in the same way, unemployment is bad with almost daily companys laying off workers. As the autumn turns towards winter the prediction from government is the pandemic will get worse. All sports are still being played with out any fans in attendance, so no money is going in to the sports clubs like, Football, Rugby, Golf, Horse racing, Motor sports.
As of 5 /11 /2020 England will go into full lockdown again due to the number of coronavirus growing, all unessesery shops and buissenes must close down, schools to stop open as are food shops, professional football to play on to empty stadiums.This 28 day lockdown will bring hardship to many small shops and business, the review to take place at the beginning of December. All major events are cancelled, Scotland and Wales have there own rules this time.
An antidotes has been developed in several countrys, vaccinations will start in days as of 7 /12 / 20. the NHS and others are gearing up to provide this service. Most of country in tiear 3 or 4, as of 1/ 1/ 21, vaccine now being used in the UK most of the E,U. still waiting, new version of the virus spreading faster all over the world, mass vaccination now on going in the U.K.
The UK is now out of the E.U. we can now make our own laws and be a free nation once again.
January 2021, People who have died due to Covid is rising, Lock down is in place, millions out of work. The Vaccine is being given to over 80 year olds and vulnerable people first, this is ongoing. February, over 80s are now mostly vaccinated and the 75s and over are now having the Jab as its become to be called, most of Thurcroft residents are going to North Anston medical centre for the Jab, deaths have increased to 100,000 since the start of the pandemic last Jan / Feb of last year. Lock down is still in operation with some people still ignoring the Law and being find large sums of money, most shops and services are still closed with people working from home if they can, more than 11 milion people have now had the Jab as of early February. Schools are still closed exept to a few pupils, football is still being played but without any spectators, most sports still banned, Isle of Man TT races will not go-ahead for the second year in a row due to Covid.
March 2021, 50% of the population have now been vaccinated, the EU have tried to say that the covid vaccine used in Britain has problems with it Macron French leader has made a fool of himself after trying to diss the vacine has now been vaccinated with it, only a small percentage of Europeans have had the Jab and are falling behind the rest of the world, a new lock down is starting in Germany, France and other states in the EU. Lock down in England is starting to ease, hopefully this new wave does not impact on England to much, the Death rate in England has fallen dramatically due to the Oxford Astra venica vaccine and the Visser vaccine. Shops, Hairdressers, Pubs, etc should start to open once again in the next two months ( April and May ).
April 29, 2021. Some Pubs now open but only drinks outside for now. Most shops now open, Holidays Abroad still not happening till later. Schools all back, Most adults over 60 have had both Jabs othe age groups still being vaccinated.
New variants of this Covid 19 are being found, up to now the vaccine has worked very well in protecting us. Most people back to work. India is having a very bad time, thousands dieing, help is now coming from other countries including the U.K. The death rate in England has now dropped to below 30 a day.
As of beginning of June 2021 the death rate has dropped to single figures in the UK, their are new variants of the covid popping up in several parts of the world, the Indian variant is now showing in several parts of the UK and special attention is being introduced like more testing etc. The government are going to make a statement in the next week if the country can at last return to normal, no more lock down, no more restrictions on Holidays, of how many people can meet together, this decision to will unlock England on the 21 June 2021, can't come soon enough. The unlooking of England has been postponed for another month unlooking now to take place on July 19, 2021, this is due to the indian variant of covid 19 spreading in areas of the country.
As ofJuly 19th all restrictions for Covid 19 are off for the English People, Scotland , Wales, Northern Island wiill decide there own time to unlock there countrys. Only the future will tell if this was the right decision. The Jab is being considered for Younger people (under 18 ), Life is on its way back to normal we hope.
2022 President Putin of Russia declares war on Ukrain, with help of armaments from the U,K, and others Ukrain
fights back, this is an ongoing situation.
2022, Dr H Lyle, Local Thurcroft Village GP, for 40 years passed away on April 26th aged 95.
2022 Mrs P Sanders long time Thurcroft resident and Shop Kepper atained the age of 100 years on May 9th.
2022 June., The Platinum ( 70 yers ) celebrations of Queen Elizabeth have been taking place all over the country
and indeed all over the world. The Queen is the longest serving monarch in history of this country.
2022 September 8th, Queen Elizabeth 11, Died at Balmoral Castle. Charles her son will be crowned King in 2023
and become King Charles 111.
2022 Mrs Sandra Blockley OBE, was named Fundraiser of the year, at the Pride of Britain ceremony in London
for her 38 years of service. Sandra has raised over 1 million pounds.
2023 New Library proposed for Thurcroft, to be built next to the Gordon Bennett Memorial Hall.
2023 May - 6th - 2023. King Charles is crowned Charles 111 on this day in London.
2023 December, New Library opens its doors, built on the side of The Gorden Bennett Hall.
The Map below was very kindly sent in by Paul Massey Who brought it from Australia, it shows a large scale map of the
area, note that Thurcroft is not mentioned as it was only farmland.
area, note that Thurcroft is not mentioned as it was only farmland.
Below is a section of Map from 1840, that shows the area of Thurcroft and surrounding villages. I have high lighted the main roads into what would become Thurcroft the Village. Note that the main road from Dinnington through Laughton Common to Green Arbour Farm goes down Toad Lane to Brampton. The Farm's are outlined in Red. The area of Thurcroft was to the East of the Track / road that runs from Green Arbour Farm to New Orchard Farm and eastwards to Brookhouse.
The Track from Green Arbour is now Green Arbour Road, the main road through the village, and is an ancient road that was called ( Street Lane ) that went up New Orchard Lane and on towards Bramley.
The Track from Green Arbour is now Green Arbour Road, the main road through the village, and is an ancient road that was called ( Street Lane ) that went up New Orchard Lane and on towards Bramley.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THURCROFT WAR MEMORIAL
The photograph below of the War Memorial and name plaques was taken in April 2012. It stands on the site of an old stone quarry that's been landscaped and set with Trees, Bush's, Plants and Flowers. With the flowers in full bloom in a little spring time sun. It's a credit to the people who maintain it to this standard.
The photographs below show the cenotaph in its celebration of 100 years from the end of WW1.
The photograph below was very kindly sent in by Mr Neil Crofts, it shows Neil's Grandfather Mr Ernest Crofts.
Mr Crofts died of Spanish Flu in December 1918, Spanish Flu was prevalent in the trenches in WW1
His Headstone is in the Military Cemetery in Abberville France. Mr Ernest Crofts name is on the WW1 plaque above.
Mr Crofts died of Spanish Flu in December 1918, Spanish Flu was prevalent in the trenches in WW1
His Headstone is in the Military Cemetery in Abberville France. Mr Ernest Crofts name is on the WW1 plaque above.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The information on the fifteen people below has been sent in by Mr Harry Lockyer, Harry has spent quite some
time trying to get to the bottom of what appears to be a bit of a mystery regarding the Memorial Board that resides in the Welfare Hall and the names that are on it for the First World War. Please read the information that is below.
During the years when the first World War was on Thurcroft did not have many people living in the village, the shafts were being sunk and the colliery was going in to production. It was to the latter end of the war when people were moving in to the houses that were being built. Thurcroft was under the parish council of Laughton en le Morthern at this time and the All Saints church at Laughton had the names of the fallen in the First War on a monument out side near the entrance to the church as Thurcroft did not have a proper church and this was the reason for putting the 51 names at Laughton who were living in local hamlets etc.
In 1922 Thurcroft was now bigger and Laughton handed the Parish Council over to Thurcroft and all the local hamlets under Thurcroft. In later years Laughton went on its own as a parish council. In 1925 Thurcroft had a Welfare Hall built for the miners and there families, in the building was a room ( The Library ) where the miners had committee meetings and were union subs were collected on a Friday evening and was later used by other organisations. A wooden plaque was erected with the names of the fallen in the 1914 - 1918 war, people in the village thought that these were the names of men that had left Thurcroft to go and fight for their country.
The Thurcroft church as it is today was built in 1938, i believe people at the bottom end of the village went to Laughton church for weddings etc and people in the top half of the village went to Ulley church for the weddings etc, i can remember my sister going to Ulley church before Thurcroft was ready to perform weddings. After the second world War a wooden plaque was put in Thurcroft church with the names of the fallen of the 1939 -- 1945 war, at this time three ladies Mrs Pearson, Mrs Brookes, and Mrs Bowen were fighting to get some where in the village to have a memorial built permanently, back then on remembrance Sunday there was a service at night and the flag bearer for the British Legion from Dinnington used to attend the service, what upset a lot of locals was the fact that the men who's names were on the plaque in the Welfare Hall from the first war was never mentioned.
I asked several times why these names were not read out, what i was told was that it was some form of legality by the church, you might say that the mens names would be read out at Laughton church but some of the names were only on the Thurcroft plaque in the Welfare Hall.
The three ladies fighting for a permeant memorial got the quarry opposite the Thurcroft Hotel as a site from the Coal Board with the help of the local council, now with the help of Mr Geb Nightingale ( councillor ) we have a war memorial for the fallen of both wars. I have done a study of the names on both the Welfare plaque and Laughton church of World War one and have got most i think. What would be helpful is if relatives of the men listed below can see if there is any thing not quite right with the lists, to get in touch with me or let the web site now, Thank you, Harry Lockyer.
Of all the years that i have been in the committee rooms in the Thurcroft Welfare Hall and looked at the plaque and thought that these were the names of the fallen from Thurcroft and near by villages, if i had not researched these names on my computer i would not have known that on the 8th August 1925 the ceremony in the Welfare hall to commemorate this plaque and names on it, it says The names of the Men who Served and Returned from the War and those that Died. So some of the men who have there names on the plaque might have been at the opening ceremony.
time trying to get to the bottom of what appears to be a bit of a mystery regarding the Memorial Board that resides in the Welfare Hall and the names that are on it for the First World War. Please read the information that is below.
During the years when the first World War was on Thurcroft did not have many people living in the village, the shafts were being sunk and the colliery was going in to production. It was to the latter end of the war when people were moving in to the houses that were being built. Thurcroft was under the parish council of Laughton en le Morthern at this time and the All Saints church at Laughton had the names of the fallen in the First War on a monument out side near the entrance to the church as Thurcroft did not have a proper church and this was the reason for putting the 51 names at Laughton who were living in local hamlets etc.
In 1922 Thurcroft was now bigger and Laughton handed the Parish Council over to Thurcroft and all the local hamlets under Thurcroft. In later years Laughton went on its own as a parish council. In 1925 Thurcroft had a Welfare Hall built for the miners and there families, in the building was a room ( The Library ) where the miners had committee meetings and were union subs were collected on a Friday evening and was later used by other organisations. A wooden plaque was erected with the names of the fallen in the 1914 - 1918 war, people in the village thought that these were the names of men that had left Thurcroft to go and fight for their country.
The Thurcroft church as it is today was built in 1938, i believe people at the bottom end of the village went to Laughton church for weddings etc and people in the top half of the village went to Ulley church for the weddings etc, i can remember my sister going to Ulley church before Thurcroft was ready to perform weddings. After the second world War a wooden plaque was put in Thurcroft church with the names of the fallen of the 1939 -- 1945 war, at this time three ladies Mrs Pearson, Mrs Brookes, and Mrs Bowen were fighting to get some where in the village to have a memorial built permanently, back then on remembrance Sunday there was a service at night and the flag bearer for the British Legion from Dinnington used to attend the service, what upset a lot of locals was the fact that the men who's names were on the plaque in the Welfare Hall from the first war was never mentioned.
I asked several times why these names were not read out, what i was told was that it was some form of legality by the church, you might say that the mens names would be read out at Laughton church but some of the names were only on the Thurcroft plaque in the Welfare Hall.
The three ladies fighting for a permeant memorial got the quarry opposite the Thurcroft Hotel as a site from the Coal Board with the help of the local council, now with the help of Mr Geb Nightingale ( councillor ) we have a war memorial for the fallen of both wars. I have done a study of the names on both the Welfare plaque and Laughton church of World War one and have got most i think. What would be helpful is if relatives of the men listed below can see if there is any thing not quite right with the lists, to get in touch with me or let the web site now, Thank you, Harry Lockyer.
Of all the years that i have been in the committee rooms in the Thurcroft Welfare Hall and looked at the plaque and thought that these were the names of the fallen from Thurcroft and near by villages, if i had not researched these names on my computer i would not have known that on the 8th August 1925 the ceremony in the Welfare hall to commemorate this plaque and names on it, it says The names of the Men who Served and Returned from the War and those that Died. So some of the men who have there names on the plaque might have been at the opening ceremony.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The additional information below has been collated and sent in by Mr Harry Lockyer.
THURCROFT MINERS WELFARE HALL & LIBRARY THURCROFT.
THURCROFT MINERS WELFARE HALL & LIBRARY THURCROFT.
The above information is from the book, Rotherham and District War Memorials.
By, Frank S Westwood and Andrew Featherstone.
By, Frank S Westwood and Andrew Featherstone.
The four pages of information below are part of a large article from the Rotherham Advertiser of August 15th 1925.
unfortunately the photo stat copy we have are not good enough to print so Harry Lockyer has itemised a few points
of interest below, We are very grateful to Harry for taking up so much of his time.
unfortunately the photo stat copy we have are not good enough to print so Harry Lockyer has itemised a few points
of interest below, We are very grateful to Harry for taking up so much of his time.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1939 --- 1945.
The plaque / Roll of honour below is that which is inside Thurcroft Church.
The detailed information below relates to the men who lost there lives in World War 11
and whose names are on the above Roll of Honour.
and whose names are on the above Roll of Honour.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, etc.
The section below is to be used for Thurcroft Men & Women ( in uniform ) who served in H.M. Armed Forces.
If you or a family member has served or are still serving in the above, please send your photograph in.
The section below is to be used for Thurcroft Men & Women ( in uniform ) who served in H.M. Armed Forces.
If you or a family member has served or are still serving in the above, please send your photograph in.
Photograph below very kindly sent in by Mr Ken Page, it shows Ken in 1948 as an 18 year old conscript doing his National Service.
Photograph taken at Blandford, Dorset.
Photograph taken at Blandford, Dorset.
Photo below of a group of ATS girls during the second world war (1942), stationed at a camp just past Ulley Beaches,
Photo below kindley sent in by John Appleyard, it shows Steward Leslie Appleyard, recipient of the Falklands Medel.
With his wife Debra and Daughter Lisa.
With his wife Debra and Daughter Lisa.
Photo below sent in by Mr Ernest Floyd, (seated Third from left mid row ). Taken during training, just after being called up.
Photo taken at Whitehill Hampshire in 1940/41, with a group of pals from the U.K. who were later deployed all over the world.
Photo taken at Whitehill Hampshire in 1940/41, with a group of pals from the U.K. who were later deployed all over the world.
The two photo's below were very kindly sent in by Mr Ernest Floyd, they show Ernest ( Army ) and his future wife Kathleen, ( ATS ).
The photographs were taken at Collompton, Devon, in the early 1940s before Mr Floyd was posted to Germany.
The photographs were taken at Collompton, Devon, in the early 1940s before Mr Floyd was posted to Germany.
The three photo below were very kindly sent in by Mrs Muriel Newton, first shows Mr and Mrs Joseph Newton on there wedding day, 1/1/1944.
Mr Joe Newton in uniform.
Mr Joe Newton in uniform.
Below, Corporal Muriel Newton, W-A-A-F 1940--1945. Below, Gunner Joseph Newton.
Serving in Middle East, 1941--1943.
Serving in Middle East, 1941--1943.
The three photographs below were very kindly sent in by Mr John Allcroft, first one shows his uncle Mr Frank Allcroft the photo was taken
in the late 1930s. Frank Allcroft was killed in action in May 1940 aged 21 years, he was attached to the 2nd Battalian Coldstream Guards.
in the late 1930s. Frank Allcroft was killed in action in May 1940 aged 21 years, he was attached to the 2nd Battalian Coldstream Guards.
Frank Allcroft is Commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial. Photo of Memorial with Frank's name below.
The photograph below was very kindly sent in by Mrs Christine Hill, it was taken on the front garden at number 14 The Crescent End, approx 1950s
Lto R, Mr James ( Jimmy ) Handley, Mrs Sarah (Sally ) Handley, and son Mr Royce Handley. No other information available as yet.
Lto R, Mr James ( Jimmy ) Handley, Mrs Sarah (Sally ) Handley, and son Mr Royce Handley. No other information available as yet.
The photo and paper cutting below was very kindly sent in by Gordon Squires. It shows his father. Mr Harry Squires served in the
Royal Leicestershire Regiment from 1934 to 1945, and was a Sergeant during WW2, he fought in Burma amongst other places.
After the was Mr Squires settled in Thurcroft and worked at Thurcroft Colliery untill his death.
Royal Leicestershire Regiment from 1934 to 1945, and was a Sergeant during WW2, he fought in Burma amongst other places.
After the was Mr Squires settled in Thurcroft and worked at Thurcroft Colliery untill his death.
The photographs below were very kindly sent in by Mrs Margaret Smith ( nee Orridge ). The first four photo's show Margaret's Dad Mr Joe Orridge.
Mr Joe Orridge aged 20 years, 1939.
Mr Joe Orridge aged 20 years, 1939.
Photo below shows Joe Orridge ( right of photo ) in 1950 in Korea.
Photo below. Joe Orriidge, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.
Joe Orridge ( York & Lancs ) in India 1942. ( United Nations Fighting Force ) KOREA. 1951.
Joe Orridge ( York & Lancs ) in India 1942. ( United Nations Fighting Force ) KOREA. 1951.
The two photos below show Mr Bill Eames, photo on left taken in 1940. Photo on right shows Bill in 1945 in Woffenbutell Germany. Kings own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
Photo below Mr George Clark ( RAF ) Lubeck, Gemany, 1945.
Photo below Mr Herbert Moon. L/CP. 1st Bt, Oxford & Bucks.
A section of the letter that accompanied the above photographs ( written by Margaret ) is copied below.
Dear Fred
I have found these photos and wondered if this is what you are looking for My Dad enlisted in the summer of 1939. The story went that they were on Afts and it was a glorious day when him and his mates came home, they used to sit on the wall bottom of Katherine Road and opposite the bottom club and all decided not to go to work the next day but enlist. Only Dad tured up for wiggles bus ( Wigmore's Busses Dinnington ) and he always told us never to volunteer for any thing as 9 years of his life was given up. He was in the York & Lancs and as history goes war broke out and he spent seven years away from home. He was in the 1st Battalion 8th Army called the Globetrotters as they covered 30,000 miles through Norway, South Africa, India, Iraq, Persia, Syria, Egypt, Sicily, Italy, Palestine, France, Belgium, and finally Germany. He went in the 5th Army when they were fighting in Sicily and Italy. When war ended he still had another year in Germany as he had enlisted for 9 years. He was demobbed in 1946 but a few years later re-called for the Korean war. He was lucky and come home on December 17th 1951, no counselling then and was back down the Pit 1st January.
He never told us any thing when we were growing up and only in later years i realised what they had gone through. Bill Eames and George Cloke were conscripted and i think were some of the last out of the pit's, Uncle Bill was in the Kings own Yorkshire Light Infantry and was at Salerno in Italy, i remember him having nightmares about the battles there. George Cloke was in the RAF after the war he was sent to Hubeck in Germany and he brought home some maps about the Sheffield Blitz. Thurcroft Pit was marked on it for an hit, i have seen it and will ask cousin Les if he still has it.
Herbert Moon was in the Oxford & Bucks regiment in fact in our village there were hundreds of Men and Women who gave up there youth, what would they think if they came back now, makes you think. My Dad was put in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers when he went to KOREA with the United Nations Fighting Force.
Dear Fred
I have found these photos and wondered if this is what you are looking for My Dad enlisted in the summer of 1939. The story went that they were on Afts and it was a glorious day when him and his mates came home, they used to sit on the wall bottom of Katherine Road and opposite the bottom club and all decided not to go to work the next day but enlist. Only Dad tured up for wiggles bus ( Wigmore's Busses Dinnington ) and he always told us never to volunteer for any thing as 9 years of his life was given up. He was in the York & Lancs and as history goes war broke out and he spent seven years away from home. He was in the 1st Battalion 8th Army called the Globetrotters as they covered 30,000 miles through Norway, South Africa, India, Iraq, Persia, Syria, Egypt, Sicily, Italy, Palestine, France, Belgium, and finally Germany. He went in the 5th Army when they were fighting in Sicily and Italy. When war ended he still had another year in Germany as he had enlisted for 9 years. He was demobbed in 1946 but a few years later re-called for the Korean war. He was lucky and come home on December 17th 1951, no counselling then and was back down the Pit 1st January.
He never told us any thing when we were growing up and only in later years i realised what they had gone through. Bill Eames and George Cloke were conscripted and i think were some of the last out of the pit's, Uncle Bill was in the Kings own Yorkshire Light Infantry and was at Salerno in Italy, i remember him having nightmares about the battles there. George Cloke was in the RAF after the war he was sent to Hubeck in Germany and he brought home some maps about the Sheffield Blitz. Thurcroft Pit was marked on it for an hit, i have seen it and will ask cousin Les if he still has it.
Herbert Moon was in the Oxford & Bucks regiment in fact in our village there were hundreds of Men and Women who gave up there youth, what would they think if they came back now, makes you think. My Dad was put in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers when he went to KOREA with the United Nations Fighting Force.
The Photograph below shows Trooper F,A,Preece DCM. of Thurcroft. who was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
The photograph below shows C Company, 8th Army, Tank Regiment. Laurence Butlers Father is to the R/H side.
The newspaper cutting and following letter were very kindly sent in by Harry Lockyer. News Cutting from the Rotherham Advertiser, May, 2005
Notices, Ephemera, Reports, Stories, etc.
The Plan / map of early Thurcroft below was very kindly sent in by Mrs Flanaghan, it's from a legal document signed on 18th February 1921.
The document is very difficult to read due to the script used and legal terms of the day. What it shows is a piece of land that belonged to Sawn Moor Farm being sold to Rotherham Rural District Council. The agreement is between Major A. J. B, St Leger esquire, and his mortgagees and the Council. The Ten Acre piece of land is marked in red and is just south of the Temporary wooden school, the land was used to build Houses on School Road, Limetree Ave , and Sawn Moor Road. On the map can be seen Green Harbour Farm (spelt with an H) Sawn Moor Farm. Two rows of houses on Katherine Street, and the houses on South Street. The road marked Sandy Lane is today's Laughton Road.
The document is very difficult to read due to the script used and legal terms of the day. What it shows is a piece of land that belonged to Sawn Moor Farm being sold to Rotherham Rural District Council. The agreement is between Major A. J. B, St Leger esquire, and his mortgagees and the Council. The Ten Acre piece of land is marked in red and is just south of the Temporary wooden school, the land was used to build Houses on School Road, Limetree Ave , and Sawn Moor Road. On the map can be seen Green Harbour Farm (spelt with an H) Sawn Moor Farm. Two rows of houses on Katherine Street, and the houses on South Street. The road marked Sandy Lane is today's Laughton Road.
Below is part of the Legal Document, if i can decipher any more i will. (Fred)
The three major Farms in Thurcroft
Sawn moor (sawn, meaning to scatter seed) was first recorded in a document at Laughton in 1464 as (Le Savumore)
.
.
With thanks to Rotherham Web, and Annette Wade.
DOWN MEMORY LANE
Rotherham Advertiser February 2nd 1918.
Thurcroft News.
Ladies Patriotic Society. The Ladies commenced another year with a balance in hand of £3-16-2. (£3-81) The object of the Ladies is to fit out with two flannel singlet's and two pair of knitted wool socks to every man who has left the Colliery for His Majesty's service as well as unmarried sons of Thurcroft men and residents of Thurcroft. Since the society formed in August 1915, 112 men have had a parcel sent to them and the secretary has received 100 letters from grateful recipients. The secretary Mrs. J. W. Wood. of Thurcroft village would like any that has not informed the ladies society of any one leaving the Colliery to join HMF army or navy to let them know.
With thanks to Harry Lockyer for the above.
Thurcroft News.
Ladies Patriotic Society. The Ladies commenced another year with a balance in hand of £3-16-2. (£3-81) The object of the Ladies is to fit out with two flannel singlet's and two pair of knitted wool socks to every man who has left the Colliery for His Majesty's service as well as unmarried sons of Thurcroft men and residents of Thurcroft. Since the society formed in August 1915, 112 men have had a parcel sent to them and the secretary has received 100 letters from grateful recipients. The secretary Mrs. J. W. Wood. of Thurcroft village would like any that has not informed the ladies society of any one leaving the Colliery to join HMF army or navy to let them know.
With thanks to Harry Lockyer for the above.
The Certificate below was sent in by Alan Page.
The above information as been gained from, and with thanks to the following. The Rotherham Web, Thurcroft Parish Newsletter Archives, Rotherham Advertiser, Local Residents. and Viewers who's Family's have lived or worked in Thurcroft. I am grateful for any help with information, Articles, Photo's etc.