At the Coalface: Part 1 of 3: The memoir of a pit nurse

by Joan Hart

A heart-warming story of a woman who devoted her life to helping others. This is the memoir of Joan, who started nursing in the 1940s and whose experiences took her into the Yorkshire mining pits and through the tumult of the 1984-85 miners’ strike.

Joan Hart always knew what she wanted to do with her life. Born in South Yorkshire in 1932, she started her nursing training when she was 16, the youngest age girls could do so at the time. She continued working after she married and her work took her to London and Doncaster, caring for children and miners.

When she took a job as a pit nurse in Doncaster in 1974, she found that in order to be accepted by the men under her care, she would have to become one of them. Most of the time rejecting a traditional nurse’s uniform and donning a baggy miner’s suit, pit boots, a hardhat and a headlamp, Joan resolved always to go down to injured miners and bring them out of the pit herself.

Over 15 years Joan grew to know the miners not only as a nurse, but as a confidante and friend. She tended to injured miners underground, rescued men trapped in the pits, and provided support for them and their families during the bitter miners’ strike which stretched from March 1984 to 1985.

Moving and uplifting, this is a story of one woman’s life, marriage and work; it is guaranteed to make readers laugh, cry, and smile.

99 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2015

Reviews

[Rileysfire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming

Wonderful read. I loved the story line. Wonderful little characters. A nice simple, pleasant read for a change of pace.

[Karen Harrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice little read, a great insight to the working conditions of the pits all those years ago.

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it very interested I will reading the next book

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great nursing history starting in the 40''s

I was not expecting the bok to actually be done in 3 book parts, but it did not interfere with how much I liked it.
We are taken with Nurse Joan from nursing school to a pediatric cancer unit and also to coal mine pits. She is an extraordinary nurse with a big heart and a desire to help others. Can't wait to continue on the journey in book 2

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series

A beautifully written Memoir, in several books, by an English Nurse in the 1950's and beyond. This is the first book of the series. I'm looking forward to reading all of the series.

[Priscilla Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very heart warming

Was glad when she went back to Peter . She was certainly dedicated to helping others. Too bad she couldn't have children

[Joan Petty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book, any lady would enjpy

[GJ S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical nurse stort

This main character was down to earth loving and caring woman
The lives of nurses are rewarding and put the patients first in those days

[Marion Ahmedzai · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read, I was sad when I'd finished it and now need to get Part 2 of the series. The author gives a great insight into her nursing experiences.

[Ingrid Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, read it quickly and now hoping for sequels.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

intriguing stories. As a nurse myself, I enjoyed reading her experiences. Having a father-in=law who was coal miner made it even more interesting, I plan to continue in the series.

[Gilbert Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book with a few laughs and serious topics. Could have been doing with more pages

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a family I met on holiday, and it’s not my usual type of read. I’ve only read the first few chapters so far, but I loved following Joan as she became a nurse and the adventures she embarked on as a pit nurse.

I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the book — I’m already intrigued to see where her story goes.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the first five chapters in a couple of days and the last chapter 8 months later. This is part 1 with two more parts to go. Really wish it came as one book!