Photo - Baads Coal Mine
code: LVSAV1998.038.030
Description
Black and white photograph of Baads Coal Mine, north mine on the left, south mine on the right, c. 1950.
1 of 31 assorted black and white photographs of Deans, Pumpherston, Burngrange, Grangemouth and Westwood, many of which have the great grandfather of the donor, John Stein, as the subject
Westwood pit was opened c 1920 and remained in production until closure of the shale oil industry in 1962. It was considered a "showpiece" pit and received many invited visitors. A special certificate was issued to all visitors who went underground. The donor, Jean Shirlaw's, great grandfather was John Stein who spent his working life in the shale oil industry: 1910-1915 Apprentice / Assistant Mine Surveyor with Young's Paraffin Light & Mineral Oil Company Ltd (Western District Mines) 1915-1920 Chief Surveyor / Mine Surveyor with Young's Paraffin Light & Mineral Oil Company Ltd (Western District Mines) 1920-1937 Assistant Mining Agent with Scottish Oils Ltd (Western District Mines) 1937-1954 Mining Agent (Western District Mines based at Westwood) with Scottish Oils Ltd 1954-1957 General Mining Manager (based at Middleton Hall) with Scottish Oils Ltd