Sid Boulton

• Assistant Mechanical Engineer, Chatterley Whitfield Colliery
• Volunteer Hon. Mechanical Engineer, Chatterley Whitfield Mining Museum.
• Honorary Friend of Chatterley Whitfield.

Sid commenced employment at Chatterley Whitfield colliery as a fitter’s assistant in 1936 and returned to the colliery in 1946 after six years service during the Second World War in the Royal Navy. He was a member of the Mechanical Engineering Department working underground but principally on the surface. By the time the colliery closed he was Assistant Mechanical Engineer and was retained to assist in the creation of the museum, being principally responsible for the winding engine in the Winstanley and Institute shafts and associated equipment, both surface and underground, a position he retained during the life of the museum.

On closure of the underground section in 1986, he assisted in the creation of the “New Underground”, being principally responsible for the new winding arrangements in the top thirty feet of the original Platt shaft. He also retained full responsibility for all mechanical functions of the museum along with a team of other “engineers”.

Following closure of the museum in August 1993, he was retained by both the liquidators and then Stoke-on-Trent City Council as resident engineer because of his wealth of knowledge of the site. His advice is sought by all concerned with the regeneration of the site and until recently he continued to attend the site five mornings a week after sixty seven years of continuous service.

On 15th October 2001 he was presented with the M.B.E. by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace for his services to Chatterley Whitfield.

He is currently the President of the Goldenhill Branch of the Royal British Legion and recently celebrated his diamond wedding anniversary.