Interview with Jack Unsworth

Audio recording and transcript of Jack Unsworth's 1979 interview with Myrtle Bergren for the Coal Tyee History Project. Unsworth's wife, Ida, is also present and contributes to the interview. Unsworth shares some of his background, explaining how his family arrived in Nova Scotia in 1906 before later moving to Alberta. Unsworth came to Vancouver Island in 1923, and he soon after started work in the Granby Mine, where he stayed until 1932. At several points during the interview Unsworth explains how he and a partner, Andy Dunn, leased some coal company land and ran their own small mining operation. Unsworth talks about living in Granby, including staying in the boarding house and participating in social events like dances. Mrs. Unsworth shares how she used to worry about her husband being alone in the mine, and she also talks about living in Extension as a girl. Unsworth gives details about mining rescue teams and equipment, and he also gives his opinions about different ethnic groups who participated in coal mining. He explains how difficult mining could be and reflects on the different responsibilities that fire bosses, pit bosses, and mine managers had. Unsworth concludes the interview by talking about the connections between Ladysmith and Extension.