Coal Miner/Hewer/Collier

[GRHughes]

Is there a difference between the 3 terms?

Thanks

[Peter Goodey]

Collier and coal miner are basically synonymous although collier might be taken to suggest a coal face worker in particular.

A hewer specifically hews ie cuts coal

[Peter_uk_can]

I was born and brought up in the heart of the Yorkshire coal fields and worked in the industry for a few years.

During the years that I know of, 1950's - 80's, the word "Collier" would often be apllied to virtually anyone who worked underground, whether it be a worker at the face or perhaps a belt minder (typically watches for problems on conveyor belts).

I don't recall anyone every being called a "hewer", but it would certainly apply to someone who was actually cutting or hewing the coal.

Again, in my days, the world coalminer was very generic, and could even be applied to guys who were not even working underground.

I recall that the term "faceworker" was very popular for those men actually working at the coal face. Modern machinery had replaced most of the hand cutting.