Nostalgic memories of Cornsay Colliery's local history

Share your own memories of Cornsay Colliery and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying all 3 Memories

My great grandfather John Dunning was from Cornsay Colliery - he worked in the coke works. Sadly he was killed in action on 21st March 1918 in France. His wife was pregnant with my grandfather at the time and they moved to Birtley. He was called William Dunning. My dad, John Dunning was named after his grandfather. I have visited my great grandad's grave in France, and I can say with hand on heart its the most moving place I have ever been.
Many of the paternal side of my family lived in Cornsay Colliery - in fact my father was born there in 1913. My great grandfather, Robert Norwood, worked at the Ferens and Love colliery there where he was responsible for all the rope work used on the haulage ways in the drift mines, and he and my great grandmother raised 7 children there. He and one of his daughters died there on two ...see more
My gran was from Cornsay Colliery, her family name was Dunning and they lived in Little Street, Cornsay Colliery. She married a Frank Chapman but he died in WW1 so was a widow; she married my granddad, James Turnbull Smith, in 1926 and they went to live in Langley Park at Logan Street and then the Crescent. All Elizabeth Ellen Dunning's brothers and sisters were from Cornsay Colliery. My gran ...see more