John William (Jack) Besford (1891–1975)
Jack Besford began work as a miner on his 13th birthday, and went on to become a leading trade unionist.
Woodhorn
Woodhorn is a village on the eastern edge of Ashington in Northumberland. Its colliery opened in 1894 and closed in 1981, and several Besfords worked there.
The pit buildings became the Woodhorn Colliery Museum in 1989, and a new museum building was added between 2002 and 2006, housing the Northumberland County Archives. Jack Besford’s clock, presented to him by the Ashington Mineworkers Federation in 1939, was given to the museum in 2019 and is held there.
David Besford (1863–1954)
David Besford was born at Cowpen Colliery, where he began work aged 12. His work as a Methodist lay preacher led him to meet his wife.
George Besford (1893–1966)
George Besford was born in Amble, Northumberland. He lost his leg in the Battle of the Somme, and later worked in the lamp cabin at Woodhorn Colliery, Ashington.
David Besford (1897–1991)
David Besford was injured fighting in the First World War. He and his family emigrated from the UK to Australia in 1925, where he worked as a mines inspector.
Thomas Besford (1899–1994)
Thomas Besford was born at Chevington Crescent, Northumberland. He was a miner who first relocated with his family to Kent, and then in 1928 to Australia.
Jack Besford’s Clock
The Ashington Mineworkers Federation presented Jack Besford with a grandfather clock when he stood down as president in 1939.