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Frank Schlichting Letters from a Retired Madman

British Columbia · 1906 to 1947

In Memory

The men who lost their lives in British Columbia's metal mines

Most of them are remembered in the province's records by a single line: a name, a date, the work he did, and what happened. The mine inspectors wrote those lines down each year. Here they are gathered, year by year, so that every man is remembered by his name.

Each was somebody's son. Some left wives and children behind. Some had come from the far side of the world to work underground.

512 men remembered so far

Find a NameTell Us About Him

Each brass tag honours one man. At many mines, a miner hung his numbered tag on the board as he went underground and took it back when he came up. These tags were never taken back.

1906

Seventeen men

1907

Twenty men

1908

Twenty men

The 1908 report also counts a child, Eunie Dimmick, killed at home in Greenwood when a rock from the Mother Lode quarry fell through the roof of her house.

1909

Fifteen men

Three more men died in 1909. The report counted them but did not print their names.

1910

Thirteen men

1911

Seventeen men

1912

Eight men

1913

Thirteen men

1914

Nineteen men

1915

Seventeen men

1916

Twenty men

1917

Seventeen men

1918

Twelve men

1919

Six men

1920

Five men

  • His name was not printedMay 1920 · Nickel Plate (Hedley)Skip-tender. Run over by a skip coming down the incline while crossing it.
  • His name was not printedSullivan (Kimberley)Caught between the belt and driving-pulley in the rock-house (surface).
  • His name was not printedCentre Star (Rossland)Fell down the shaft trying to board a skip as it moved away.
  • His name was not printedWhitewaterGround caved at the face of the entry.
  • His name was not printedBelmont-Surf InletThe report counted his death but did not print his name.

1921

Three men

  • Geo. HeathertonJuly 24, 1921 · Rambler-Cariboo (Slocan)Miner. Cave of rock in a stope.If he was your family, tell us about him →
  • His name was not printedBritanniaTrammer. Struck by a moving car near the portal.
  • His name was not printedBelmont-Surf Inlet(cause not stated; chief inspector's cause table gives two falls of ground and one mine-car accident for the year).

1922

Six men

1923

Twelve men

1924

Ten men

1925

Five men

1926

Nine men

1927

Eight men

1928

Fourteen men

1929

Fourteen men

1930

Nineteen men

1931

Six men

1932

Eleven men

1933

Ten men

1934

Twenty-two men

1935

Twenty-two men

1936

Not yet found

The inspectors' list for 1936 has not yet been found. The names will be added here.

1937

One man

The rest of the 1937 list has not yet been found. The names will be added here.

1938

Twelve men

  • His name is not yet foundBritanniaCounted in the next year's report.
  • His name is not yet foundBritanniaCounted in the next year's report.
  • His name is not yet foundBritanniaCounted in the next year's report.
  • His name is not yet foundPioneerCounted in the next year's report.
  • His name is not yet foundWilliams CreekCounted in the next year's report.
  • His name is not yet foundCopper MountainCounted in the next year's report.
  • His name is not yet foundHedley MascotCounted in the next year's report.
  • His name is not yet foundHedley MascotCounted in the next year's report.
  • His name is not yet foundYmir ConsolidatedCounted in the next year's report.
  • His name is not yet foundLe RoiCounted in the next year's report.
  • His name is not yet foundSullivan (Kimberley)Counted in the next year's report.
  • His name is not yet foundPolaris TakuCounted in the next year's report.

The 1938 list has not yet been found. The next year's report counts twelve deaths in 1938 and names the mines; the men's names will be added here when the list is found.

1939

Twenty-one men

1940

Eleven men

1941

Fourteen men

1942

Fourteen men

1943

Fourteen men

1944

Four men

1945

Ten men

1946

Seven men

1947

Fourteen men

They went to work, and did not come home.

If He Was Your Family

If one of these men was family, you can help us remember him: a correction to his name, a few words about who he was, or a photograph. Nothing is added without your permission.

Tell Us About Him →

About This List

These lines come from the Annual Reports of the Minister of Mines of British Columbia, 1906 to 1947, where the mine inspectors listed each year's fatal accidents in the metal mines and told what happened. Each line was checked against the printed page. Names are spelled as the reports printed them. Coal mines are not included.

The inspectors' own count for these years is 486 deaths. The reports also name men who died at placer workings, on claims and prospects, and at the surface of the mines, and seven men killed in 1935 when a snowslide struck a mine bunkhouse at night. They are remembered here too.

The lists for 1936 and 1937, and the names for 1938, have not yet been found, and the years before 1906 and after 1947 are still to be read. Names will be added as they are found.

For 1930, each man's age, and the name he was registered under where it differs, come from his death registration. The other years are being checked the same way.

Source: Annual Report of the Minister of Mines, Province of British Columbia, 1906 to 1947.

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