William Johnson
Warning: This is not intended to be an exhaustive history of this individual,
but an indication of the changes of positions and the links between companies, directors
and managers in those companies. Only collieries, pits etc. in the North of England are shown - the
individual may be involved with other companies or collieries outside this area and there may have
been other positions for which we currently do not have details.
Colliery Staff Positions held
Biographical Notes
Johnson, William A Cumbrian by birth and training. Comes from a line who for four generations back has been closely associated with coal mining in West Cumberland. Son of the late Mr. George Johnson, a well known figure in colliery circles in his day. After serving his apprenticeship at the Brayton Domain Collieries, became Manager of the Collieries, holding the position for three or four years. Then appointed Manager to the Hills Plymouth Colliery Company on the east side of the Taff, and came to South Wales in the Spring of 1890. He relinquished his position with the Hills Plymouth Colliery Company in 1895 to take up the General Managership of the Ffaldau Collieries, Pontycymmer, at the time widely known for the excellency of its house coal, but during his management it became equally renowned for its superiority in metallurgical coke. It was during the period of his management that the coking plant was installed. In 1917 he relinquished the management of these Collieries, on becoming consulting engineer and Director to the Glyncorrwg Colliery Company. He has since, however, returned to his old love, and now holds the dual position of consulting engineer and Director to the Ffaldau Collieries Company Ltd. In addition to being consulting engineer and Director of the two foregoing Collieries, he is also a Director of the Great Western Colliery Company, Limited. He has been a prominent member in the deliberations of the Coal Owners' Association, and acted on several subsidiary committees, besides being Chairman of the Cardiff District Board in 1903. President of the South Wales Institute of Engineers for this year.
Source: 1923 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory
Biographical Notes
Johnson, William. A Cumbrian by birth and training. Comes from a line who for four generations back has been closely associated with coal mining in West Cumberland. Son of the late Mr. George Johnson, a well known figure in colliery circles in his day. After serving his apprenticeship at the Brayton Domain Collieries, became Manager of the Collieries, holding the position for three or four years. Then appointed Manager to the Hills Plymouth Colliery Company on the east side of the Taff, and came to South Wales in the spring of 1890. He relinquished his position with the Hills Plymouth Colliery Company in 1895 to take up the General Managership of the Ffaflau Collieries, Pontycymmer, at the time widely known for the excellency of its house coal, but during his management it became equally renowned for its superiority in metallurgical coke. It was during the period of his management that the coking plant was installed. In 1917 he relinquished the management of these collieries on becoming Consulting Engineer and Director to the Glyncorrwg Colliery Company. He has since, however, returned to his old love, and now holds the dual position of Consulting Engineer and Director to the Ffaldan Collieries Company Ltd. In addition he is Managing Director of the Tondu Brickworks Co. Ltd., Tondu, and Director and Chairman of the Garw & Ogmore Gas Co., Brynmenyn. Also President of the Institute of Clayworkers. Late President of the South Wales Institute of Engineers (1923) and Chairman of the Monmouth and South Wales Coal Owners' Association.
Source: 1933 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory
- 1888 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
- 1923 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
- 1933 Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian
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