Story
Robert Sissons was born in Sherburn in Elmet in 1857, and was the eldest son of John Sissons (1832-1887) a farmer, and Ann Hedben (1835-1897, pictured right), who married in Sherburn on 22nd April 1854. Robert worked as a farm labourer on his father’s 11-acre farm in Sherburn until 1881, when he married a domestic servant from Selby, who was working in Sherburn, Elizabeth Oldfield (1861-1935).
Robert and Elizabeth had a son, John Willie Sissons (1883-1954) who would later join the Army before the First World War. Robert then got into trouble. On 15th October 1885, he was imprisoned for one month in York Prison for assaulting Jesse Pickard, and was given an additional 2 months for assaulting Robert Hanson. He was 5 ft 8” tall, and had broken his left wrist. Robert also had cuts on his forehead when he was imprisoned again for one month on 1st September 1886 for poaching game. Robert and Elizabeth had a daughter, Beatrice Alice (1888-1969), but appear to have separated for a short time afterwards. In 1891, Beatrice was being raised by her grandmother Ann, whilst Robert was working as a coal miner, and lodging in Kippax, without his wife. However on 30th April 1896, Robert was amongst the rescuers at Peckfield Colliery, and was undoubtedly keen to save the life of his brother John Sissons (1869-1952) who survived the explosion, and was brought out alive from the lower seam, the Black Bed.
By 1901, Robert and Elizabeth were back living together with both their children in Glasshoughton, with Robert still working as a coal miner. Robert passed away in 1936 aged 78.
30th April 1896. The Peckfield Colliery Disaster at Micklefield 