Topic: Research into Birmingham-based fatal accident at Glassworks, after 1901

[David E]

I was wondering whether anyone had records on an accident that occured (believed to be an explosion) at a Birmingham-based glassworks. It is known that the death of a worker (not sure if there were more) was after 1901 as he appeared in this census.

The worker was:
Arthur Flanner, born c.1854. Address in 1901 was 11 House 6 Court Dartmouth Street, Aston.

At that time I think there was only John Walsh Walsh and Osler, of the major firms, but there may have been several smaller ones. Not sure if Osler was still producing glass at this stage.

[Bernard C]

David — What about bottle works?   And if the records are not specific about actual manufacturing on site, it could have been a bottle / window glass depot or wholesaler.

... and Smart Brothers — see Hajdamach.

Bernard C. 

[David E]

Thanks Bernard. However, the information I have (and should probably have included) is that his trade was a glassblower. So perhaps this should rule out flat glass or bottle/auto-produced glass making.

[Frank]

Bottles were still being handblown then in some places and for specials.

Other Birmingham based c1907
O C Hawkes Ltd, Globe Works, Bromsgrove St - window glass, plate glass and glass works
Alfred Arculs & Co, Aetna Glassworks, 295 Broad St - flint glass, crystal
E A Bates 211 Victoria Rd, Aston - Glass works
J Bourne & Co, 27 George St - cut glass
Edward Branscombe & Son, Upper Webster St, Aston - flint glass, crystal
C E Brittain & Co. 35 Aston Village - Glass works
J Brown, 65 Nechell Park Rd - Glass works
E G Canning. 62 New Town Road
Chance Bros 
George Finch, Smith Street - cruets
Robert Emanuel Finley, 10 Brook St,  - Glass works
Henry J Manton, 108 Great Charles St  - Glass works
F & C Osler 230 Broad St & Freeth St - crystall, table glass, lustres
T Pierpoint & Co, 81 Newhall St  - Glass works
J L Shepherd 94a Newhall St  - Glass works
James Stevens and Sons, Victoria Glass Works 153 Dartmouth St
Joseph Tomey & Sons Ltd, 29 Catherine St Aston - Gauge Glass (Moncrieff competitors, unrelated to Perth's Tomey & Sons)
C Vale 82 Villa St Hockley  - Glass works
John Walsh Walsh 112 Lodge St - crystal, glass for silversmiths, electric & gas lighting, table decoration
Woodall & Son, St Georges Glass Works, 10 Great Hampton St & Barr St - Glas Works, Crystal

John Hanbury, Gibsons Mill, 44 Cambridge St - Bottle works
Chistopher Collins 30 St Paul Square - Lighting glass, Ships lamps
Edward J Shaw - Hatherton St, Walsall - Lighting globes
John Westwood, 102 Lichfield St - Lighting globes
H M Cook, 43 Albert Rd, Aston - Bottle works
Thomas Skidmore, 80 Bordesley St - Bottle works


Decorators - William Frederick Gibson. Joseph Stainton, William Edward Woodward

Jas Hately & Co, Dartmouth St - Crystal
Hukin & Heath, 139 Gt Charles St - Crystal
T Pierpoint & Co Ltd, 81 Newhall St - Crystal

Only checked a couple of sections very quickly so it is not an exhaustive list - this 1400 page 1907 directory is high priority for the Glass-Study.

[David E]

Wow, thanks Frank - (glass-study.com, rah, rah, rah...)

[Anne]

David, have you checked the Times Digital Archive? Accidents such as this were often recorded.

[David E]

Thanks, that's a good point. On the case...

[ChrisStewart]

Also try the Pottery Gazette.

Chris

[David E]

Thanks Chris - not terribly convenient for me to view them, so I'm waiting for Frank to digitise them

[Frank]

I decided the other day to digitise the all glass trade directory sections next and leave the adverts and monthlies etcetera till later. While most of the 'forgotten' knowledge is in the articles and adverts, I am continuously sorting through the annuals to get information for the GMB so doing those first will save me a lot of time as other members will be able to use the data to help answer questions here too. Giving me more time for digitising.