The obituary notice of James Smith DONALDSON

You followed your forefathers down the pit and worked at the coal face for over 40 years. Often waist deep in water, blinded by dust, the air heavy with gas, accidents just waiting to happen at any minute of any day for all those years. Just to survive unscathed was a remarkable feat in itself. Growing up, I always knew it was dangerous but just took it for granted. You belonged to an era where to make good, men had to be real men if they wanted to support their families. Rather than descend to the depths of hell every day, many saw the dole queues as a much easier, softer way and their children also joined the long queues I would see every day for free school meals. Never once did I have to do that not even during lengthy miners strikes.You firmly believed that charity began at home. Our needs were absolutely always met and wants therefore didn’t matter.
You did what you had to do unflinchingly and never complained. But you did not want me down there and constantly berated me to get educated which I often railed against. The penny eventually dropped and I did get educated beyond expectation. High flying jobs quickly followed and I remember being reticent when asked to tell people in the posh circles that I now moved in that my father was a coal miner. That was a very long time ago but I have often recalled this with shame. I have long since known better but never really got to tell you.
So before I join you as my own life ticks away,please let me record it here. You were a real man daddy. I could not be more proud to say my father was a coal miner all his working life. I now marvel at how you did it but I know precisely why you did it. And for that,
Thank you
❤️

In loving memory of our dad james smith donaldson died 3rd March 2011.loved and remembered with every passing day. William and sandy.

In loving memory of our mother Margaret Morris died 8th October 1980 beloved wife of James Donaldson. Always loved and remembered with each passing day. William & Sandy .

In loving memory of James Smith Donaldson died 3rd March 2011. Always remembered Sandy.

Loved and remembered always.