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Johnny Allan (1917-2000) - Mineworker, Aberdare Extended Colliery. Recorded 15 November 1989. Part 1/1.
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SummaryJOHNNY ALLAN
Recorded 15 November 1989
Part 1/1
0:34
Began working at Aberdare Extended in 1942. Was member of Army prior to working in pit – he did two 6 months and got a job at the tunnel and was exempt 1942 - 1963. Johnny was born in 1917. Wal Allan (uncle). Henry Allan (uncle) Johnny’s grandfather worked on pit top on the screens.
1:58
Mechanisation began at pit around 1950. Recalls driving "Jeffrey" scraper-loader. Also worked as "rope-splicer" – before the 1949 flood. Maurie Marshall.
3:33
"Digger" Forbes "Rope-splicer". Wilson Barrett – manager in the 1960’s. John McWilliams.
4:36
Diameter of main haulage ropes – 2 x 4” ropes went a mile and a quarter down the pit. Length of main haulage ropes. Number of ropes used in main haulage.
5:24
Number of "clips" per haulage rope – both went down the same tunnel with the full skips coming up the right hand side. Billy Jones was the haulage driver (used to play the piano). Percy Unwin took over from Billy Jones when Billy retired.
7:06
Jimmy Marshall was the engineer at Australia Wire Rope. Rope was supplied by Australia Wire Rope. Describes how rope was often damaged – checking out the spliced sections and examining it for tension. Recalls using corrugated-iron weight for tension.
Number of tension weights. Number of tension trolleys. Reason for using two tension trolleys.
9:42
Side ropes were "main & tail" variety – the big ropes pulled the full skips out and the little rope to take the empties in. “Big Ecker” Ward was the rider (possibly Derek). Recalls using mechanised steel skips.
13:33
Distance between transport and rope tunnel –about 200 yards apart. Recalls changes brought by mechanisation
15:14
Location of air shaft, Aberdare Extended – a short shaft. Description of ventilation fan.
16:06
Recalls installation of conveyor belt which ran down the rope tunnel . Recalls winding engine shaft breaking.
18:42
Location of mechanised section (No.2 East). Location of tunnel, Bridge's Hill – the railway that went between the Coal Board and the Bulk Store. Location of drift, Bridge's Hill – old workings of Aberdare Extended workings.
20:52
Direction of drift, Bridge's Hill. Bridge's Hill took headings (no pillars were taken). Dimensions of pillars, Bridge's Hill.
23:08
Width of headings, Bridge's Hill there was only one belt. There were 2 mechanised units, Bridge's Hill – no transport for the miners.
24:19
Bridge's Hill used "Joy" scraper-loaders. Recalls closure of Bridge's Hill workings.
26:04
Skips were tipped using "tumbler" system. Only steam was used for bath room.
26:45
Left Aberdare Extended in March 1963. "Portal Mining", Aberdare Extended.
28:26
Recalls open-cutting at Aberdare Extended - Caldare. Recalls flooding of open cut mine, 1949 – Cessnock Colliery. Reason for entry point of flood waters.
30:05
Ian Duncan, manager. Condenser and Power House near the little dam still there in 1963. Height of "gantry" – about 40ft off the ground - Aberdare Extended.
32:15
Location of brickwork shops, Aberdare. Location of winding engine and ropes.
34:56
Recollection of "powder magazine" a smaller one. Location of electrical substation, Aberdare wasn’t far from the main fan. The fan was on top of the main tunnel.
36:42
Location of Cockle Creek line. Location of original Aberdare powerhouse in relation to the condenser.
37:59
Recalls using "old" bathroom for workshop. Geordie Hunter was the manager when Johnny started.
39:02
Bert Palmer. Jack Goode.
39:21
Mike Kefferd. Reg Watson.
39:48
Tom Barrett – undermanager. Jack Goodwin. Les Vaisey followed Barrett from Central when it closed in 1943.
42:16
"Scruff" Hutchinson – waste examiner. "Doozer" McCrimmen – waste examiner.
42:49
Father worked as "contract miner". Recalls mine accident involving father.
43:27
"Bunny" Murdoch – Ian Duncan and Wilson Barrett.
46:14
End (Tape 411/Side A)
Please email archives@newcastle.edu.au if you are a subject of the interview, or know a subject of the interview, and have cultural or other reservations about the interview and summary being made available on this website and would like to discuss this with us.
Allan, John William, 1917-2000PersonJack DelaneyDepicts or Relates ToWilson BarrettBunny Murdoch (-1997) - Mineworker, Aberdare Extended Colliery. 15 November 1989. Part 1/1.CollectionVoices of the HunterPlaceCessnock, NSWLocation[1] Aberdare Extended Colliery, NSWIdentifier411A
Recorded 15 November 1989
Part 1/1
0:34
Began working at Aberdare Extended in 1942. Was member of Army prior to working in pit – he did two 6 months and got a job at the tunnel and was exempt 1942 - 1963. Johnny was born in 1917. Wal Allan (uncle). Henry Allan (uncle) Johnny’s grandfather worked on pit top on the screens.
1:58
Mechanisation began at pit around 1950. Recalls driving "Jeffrey" scraper-loader. Also worked as "rope-splicer" – before the 1949 flood. Maurie Marshall.
3:33
"Digger" Forbes "Rope-splicer". Wilson Barrett – manager in the 1960’s. John McWilliams.
4:36
Diameter of main haulage ropes – 2 x 4” ropes went a mile and a quarter down the pit. Length of main haulage ropes. Number of ropes used in main haulage.
5:24
Number of "clips" per haulage rope – both went down the same tunnel with the full skips coming up the right hand side. Billy Jones was the haulage driver (used to play the piano). Percy Unwin took over from Billy Jones when Billy retired.
7:06
Jimmy Marshall was the engineer at Australia Wire Rope. Rope was supplied by Australia Wire Rope. Describes how rope was often damaged – checking out the spliced sections and examining it for tension. Recalls using corrugated-iron weight for tension.
Number of tension weights. Number of tension trolleys. Reason for using two tension trolleys.
9:42
Side ropes were "main & tail" variety – the big ropes pulled the full skips out and the little rope to take the empties in. “Big Ecker” Ward was the rider (possibly Derek). Recalls using mechanised steel skips.
13:33
Distance between transport and rope tunnel –about 200 yards apart. Recalls changes brought by mechanisation
15:14
Location of air shaft, Aberdare Extended – a short shaft. Description of ventilation fan.
16:06
Recalls installation of conveyor belt which ran down the rope tunnel . Recalls winding engine shaft breaking.
18:42
Location of mechanised section (No.2 East). Location of tunnel, Bridge's Hill – the railway that went between the Coal Board and the Bulk Store. Location of drift, Bridge's Hill – old workings of Aberdare Extended workings.
20:52
Direction of drift, Bridge's Hill. Bridge's Hill took headings (no pillars were taken). Dimensions of pillars, Bridge's Hill.
23:08
Width of headings, Bridge's Hill there was only one belt. There were 2 mechanised units, Bridge's Hill – no transport for the miners.
24:19
Bridge's Hill used "Joy" scraper-loaders. Recalls closure of Bridge's Hill workings.
26:04
Skips were tipped using "tumbler" system. Only steam was used for bath room.
26:45
Left Aberdare Extended in March 1963. "Portal Mining", Aberdare Extended.
28:26
Recalls open-cutting at Aberdare Extended - Caldare. Recalls flooding of open cut mine, 1949 – Cessnock Colliery. Reason for entry point of flood waters.
30:05
Ian Duncan, manager. Condenser and Power House near the little dam still there in 1963. Height of "gantry" – about 40ft off the ground - Aberdare Extended.
32:15
Location of brickwork shops, Aberdare. Location of winding engine and ropes.
34:56
Recollection of "powder magazine" a smaller one. Location of electrical substation, Aberdare wasn’t far from the main fan. The fan was on top of the main tunnel.
36:42
Location of Cockle Creek line. Location of original Aberdare powerhouse in relation to the condenser.
37:59
Recalls using "old" bathroom for workshop. Geordie Hunter was the manager when Johnny started.
39:02
Bert Palmer. Jack Goode.
39:21
Mike Kefferd. Reg Watson.
39:48
Tom Barrett – undermanager. Jack Goodwin. Les Vaisey followed Barrett from Central when it closed in 1943.
42:16
"Scruff" Hutchinson – waste examiner. "Doozer" McCrimmen – waste examiner.
42:49
Father worked as "contract miner". Recalls mine accident involving father.
43:27
"Bunny" Murdoch – Ian Duncan and Wilson Barrett.
46:14
End (Tape 411/Side A)
Please email archives@newcastle.edu.au if you are a subject of the interview, or know a subject of the interview, and have cultural or other reservations about the interview and summary being made available on this website and would like to discuss this with us.
Allan, John William, 1917-2000PersonJack DelaneyDepicts or Relates ToWilson BarrettBunny Murdoch (-1997) - Mineworker, Aberdare Extended Colliery. 15 November 1989. Part 1/1.CollectionVoices of the HunterPlaceCessnock, NSWLocation[1] Aberdare Extended Colliery, NSWIdentifier411Aloading google map....
Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010, Johnny Allan (1917-2000) - Mineworker, Aberdare Extended Colliery. Recorded 15 November 1989. Part 1/1., [411A]. Living Histories, accessed 30/11/2023, https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/56049