1973 – Birkin, Joseph
1973 – JOSEPH BIRKIN, Face Worker, 60
Joseph (Joe) Birkin of Birkinstyle Lane, Shirland had worked in the mines since leaving school at the age of fourteen, starting at Morton Colliery until its closure in 1965 when he transferred to Markham. He was a keen gardener and loved his pet dogs. Joe’s wife ran a general grocery shop attached to their house for over forty years. Having spent his working life down the mines, at the age of sixty Joe was looking forward to his retirement but sadly this was not to be. Joe left his widow Sadie and twin daughters Sadie and Lynn aged twenty-one years. He is buried in St Leonards Churchyard, Shirland.
Joseph was commemorated on 16th September 2019. The location of the artwork can be found in zone 11 on the trail map which can be downloaded here.
Markham Vale Heritage Group research:
Joseph (Joe) Birkin of Birkinstyle Lane, Shirland worked in the mines as a Coal Face Worker since leaving school at the age of 14 years, starting at Morton Colliery until its closure in 1965 when he transferred to Markham. He was a keen gardener specialising in Dahlias, Chrysanthemums and Sweet Peas and loved his Alsatian dogs. Joe’s wife Sadie ran a general grocery shop attached to their house for over forty years, and Joe often helped Sadie at weekends by collecting stock from local Cash and Carry warehouses. Having spent his full working life down the mines, at the age of 60 years Joe was very much looking forward to his retirement – sadly this was not to be. Joe left his widow Sadie and twin daughters Sadie & Lynn aged 21 years. He is buried in St Leonards Churchyard, Shirland.
Further Information
Markham Colliery 1973 disaster
List of miners killed in the 1973 disaster.
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