South Yorkshire Times, June 24th, 1944
Pit Work Made Him “Dizzy”
Damages Against Youth Who Walked Out
Because of haulage workers leaving the pit, saying they are ill, during ten months up to April this year, 196 shifts had been lost at this colliery, and only eleven of these illnesses have been supported by medical certificates, said Mr. C. M. H Glover, on behalf of Doncaster Amalgamated Collieries Ltd., at Doncaster West Riding Court, on Friday, when a nominal claim for 10s. damages was allowed against a Thurnscoe haulage hand, Jack Ward, for breach of contract.
Mr. Douglas said that on April 21st Ward asked to leave the pit, saying he was ill. He and other youths with him were detained at the pithead, where they were examined by the colliery Doctor. He could find nothing wrong with them, but as Ward complained of “dizzy bouts” he had told him to go home and stay in bed until he visited him later in the day.
The Doctor said Glover went to Ward’s house later, but Ward had gone out.
Mr. Glover pointed out that out of the 196 shifts from this cause, 31 had been lost on Wednesdays and 76 on Fridays, “the only evenings where there is any sort of evening activity round Thurnscoe.”