I BELIEVE I recognise the young miner in the front row, third from right. I think this is my great uncle Harry who lost a leg in a mining accident at Lightmoor Colliery, shortly after this photo was taken.

The accident was "hushed up" to ensure new recruits were not deterred from entering a dangerous trade. Harry, the site's head carpenter, found his leg was trapped below the knee by an experimental pit prop and was forced to cut what was left of the limb off with a half inch chisel.

However, happy-go-lucky Harry moved to Lisse in the mid-50s where he earned a living in the bulb fields taking advantage of his small stride and wooden peg-leg. Walking up and down the furrows he was able to "pock" (in Dutch, a hole for planting) and sow at great speed. I recall him boasting at Christmas, after several large advocaas, that in one day he planted over 9,000 narcissi.

His earnings from horticulture allowed him to retire in Milkwall in the early 70s were, later, his leg succumbed to Dutch Elm disease. Harry's woodworking skills once more came to the fore, and he was able to turn up a new leg using walnut from a fallen tree in the garden. The remainder of the tree, I believe, was sold to BSA at Halesowen where it was turned into stocks for .22 air rifles.

Tragedy befell uncle Harry whilst on holiday in Weymouth when his prosthetic walnut leg became entangled with pointwork on the pier and he was struck by the evening boat train. Official?British?Rail records show that BRCW Crompton 6551 was the locomotive involved.

– Cyril Collins, Cinderford.