| Description | Date of birth: 11/04/1900
Marital status: Married
Address: 42 Glebe Crescent, Ilkeston
Type of injury: Not applicable
Description of accident: Not applicable
Further information: Papers go back to the Derbyshire Miners' Association in March 1944, with correspondence to the Silicosis Medical Board. In June 1944 the Silicosis Board took an X-ray and reported 'NO SILICOSIS'. Original diagnosis of pneumoconiosis in letter from GP 28 August 1944 which stated: 'Mr J Longden [...] is suffering from Chronic Fibrosis of the Lungs which in my opinion is occupational, is due to his work as a miner and could therefore be called Pneumoconiosis or Miners' Dust Disease. This is also confirmed by many sputum examinations [...] all are negative which indicates that the disease is [...] not due to infection'. TB had been ruled out by the Local Tuberculosis Officer. In June 1948 the Medical Board found Longden was not suffering from Pneumoconiosis. From 1949, the Pneumoconiosis Medical Board assessments gave conditions of pneumoconiosis, bronchitis and emphysema in 'Notes to form basis of disablement', giving the history of Longden having worked in the pit from the age of 13 (away two years in the Army) and a total of 32 years as a collier. Cossall Branch Secretary wrote August 1949 to say that Longden had turned down two suitable jobs in gardening or as a night watchman. Correspondence between NUM and George Oliver MP in September 1949 regarding Longden's case, including handwritten letter from the House of Commons to Mr Kitts, saying: 'he is concerned about [...] a notice [...] terminating his contract of service with the colliery [...] does the NCB sack its unfortunate workmen scarred in its service? Perhaps I ought to reserve the latter bit for Lord Hyndley!'. One response from NUM included: 'I have a lot of sympathy with this unfortunate man and I have tried to get the managerial side to find him a suitable job [...] there is a lot of concentration schemes and reorganisation being carried on, [...] essential in the interests of efficiency, but [...] more difficult to find light work'. Last paragraph in copy of letter 19 September 1949 'For your information, which I ask you to keep confidential, [...]this man stands every weekend at a green grocers stall in the Ilkeston Market, and that he also does work for a green grocer during the week'. |