Another Milnrow Mill Tragedy

Robert Sutcliffe was born 1843, according to the 1851 census return he was living with his Grandparents, William and Betty Schofield at Stonepitfield, Roberts to elder brothers, James and William were also living there.

All three lads were working in the local mills at the time the census was taken, 15 year old James was a mill jobber, 11 year old William a mule piecer and 8 year old Robert a short time mule piecer (on account of his age he only did short time).

In July 1857 Robert was working in the woollen mill belonging to Messrs. Schofield (no relation), Robert had hold of a strap that was connected to a driving shaft , another worker was piecing it. 

Robert was stood on top of the machinery, the shaft was turning as he was holding the strap, to steady it whilst it was pieced.

The mill management had given instruction that this practice was not to be carried out, it is thought that Robert and others had ignored the instruction and continued with the dangerous practice.

Robert was caught on the driveshaft and was rotated numerous times around the shaft receiving catastrophic injuries to his head and upper body - he died within 25 minutes of the accident happening.

An inquest was held into his death at the Commercial Inn (now the Moonspinners in the village), the verdict returned was one of accidental death.

An Accident At Haugh Mill

James Edward Dixon was born on October 30th 1899, the eldest son of Lamberth and Elizabeth Dixon.

The census returns tell us that in 1901 the family were living at 98 Shaw Road, Lamberth was employed as a stripper / grinder.

10 years later in 1911 the family had moved to along Shaw Road to number 58, the family had grown with the addition of two sisters to James; Annie Jane and Edith.

Like many children of his generation, James left school at an early age and began work at Haugh Mill.

He had a terrible accident in September 1916, caught between some shafting equipment in the mill he received a severe compound fracture of his skull and right arm, he was rushed to Rochdale Infirmary for emergency treatment.

James made a full recovery from his injuries, he married Annie Thompson in 1932, by 1939 the couple were living at 9 Two Bridges Road with their 4 year old daughter Dorothy. 

James was still working in the cotton mills.

Lamberth, James' father passed away the year after his sons wedding in 1932, he was 58.

In 1944, James was elected by a popular vote to become the local councillor on the Urban District Council for the Haugh ward.

James passed away in 1963.