Vincent Sanderson

1881 -1933

Vincent Sanderson was born 16th April 1881, and baptised 10th July at Stannington to Albert Sanderson and Elizabeth Dyson. He was the ninth of eleven children, although two didn’t survive infancy.

1891 Census entry

In 1891, Vincent was a nine year old scholar.

1901 Census entry

By 1901, he was a Ganister miner, operating underground.

Vincent Sanderson married Nora Thompson 1905. Nora had been a barmaid (something those who knew her in later life, couldn’t believe). This is presumably how they met. They lived at 185 Stannington Road, before moving to 6 Carlby Road Stannington.

There is a story that Vincent walked from Stannington to Glossop along the A57 looking for a job, but there isn’t much evidence for this, although his father Albert in the 18?? census gives his place of birth as Glossop, so perhaps this is a story that has been confused in the telling.

Vincent had worked his way up from miner working for Pickford and Holland, to mine manager at Hutcliffe Wood ganister mine, and a car (a bull nose Morris 8) came with the job, which must have been something in the 1920’s. He obviously had ability and intelligence.

1911 Census Vincent Sanderson

Sad to say, we don’t know much about the life of Grandad’s father, but what we do know, is not particularly positive. In those days, heavy drinking amongst working men, especially miners, was a common and accepted part of life, unfortunately Vincent succumbed to heavy drinking, which made him argumentative and violent. When sober though, he couldn’t do enough for the family. Even in 1903, there is an unfortunate local newspaper entry, describing an incident involving Vincent being drunk and disorderly.

When he was young he was offered a trial to play football for Sheffield Wednesday, unfortunately as a result of his drinking he failed to turn up for his trial.

The Sanderson children did not have a happy home life as a result, and the three older children left home as soon as they could.

In 1933, Vincent died from pneumoconiosis, (miners lung), however he carried on in life, this was a nasty disease to contract, and for his family to witness. Nora had managed to save money to buy a couple of properties which she let out later on, providing her with an income on Vincent’s death.