1900 - 1994

Silverwood Mine

Hollings Lane

Thrybergh

Facts, Stories and Features

JAMES WILLIAM HILL

James William Hill or Jimmie  as he is known Pictured left in 2005 with his wife Flo.

Jimmie has an amazing memory, and recalls stories and events that can keep you entertained for hours.

Jimmie was born the son of William Hill, he went to Rotherham Grammar  School and became a miner at Silverwood. Becoming a deputy at the pit and then went on to gain qualifications as undermanager, he then discovered he could earn more money by remaining a deputy. In a recent meeting with James and his wonderful wife Flo he made the wry comment that becoming a deputy gained him a few enemies. This happens with any position of authority and goes with the territory.

During the second World War he was quite an hero as a navigator on a R. A. F. Dakota. He recalls the time when short on fuel they contacted an airfield and explained the situation, and requested lights for the runway. Back came the message we don't have any lights, Jimmie very quickly suggested a way to at least give the pilot an idea where the runway was. This was organized and the plane was landed successfully.

One great fear that haunted Jimmie as a navigator was the fear of being shot down and the plane catching fire, this fear was very real as Jimmie in his childhood suffered burns after setting himself on fire.

Leaving England in 1952 the family made their way to Australia and James being the determined character he is, hitch hiked around 170 miles to gain employment in a mine.

Recalling a wartime meeting with an ex Silverwood miner who informed him that he was making a good living as a salesman in India selling mining machinery, James then decided to gain a position as a salesman and became very successful.

Now James has enjoyed some wonderful lifetime experiences and with a little persuasion from his family is writing his memoirs. I had a brief glimpse of his recollections growing up in the Silverwood mining community and it makes for some very entertaining reading, and it is hoped we can reproduce some of those memories here on this site.

The thing that impressed me about James is that his mind is as sharp as a razor, and that he has an obvious pride in his achievements. He proudly states that he can remember all the families who lived in Dalton, and I have no doubt if asked he can remember the families of Thrybergh. I didn't have to ask him about my family, he even told me what job my Dad did down the mine and which street my family lived on.

Is James still a proud Yorkie after over 50 years in Australia, you bet he is, and the accent is still there.

Many thanks to James and Flo for their hospitality in welcoming me into their home.

John Doxey  From information supplied by Brian Eyre and James Hill

There was another hero who worked at Silverwood and his story is linked to James Hill the provider of the information above, follow the link to read of a somewhat amazing coincidence concerning two Dalton School Pals. Fred Hartle