Thomas Cann

Cann was born in Cornwall, where he became a tin miner.

In search of work, he moved to Brotton in Yorkshire, where he mined ironstone, then to Michigan.

However, he was concerned at the dangerous conditions there, and returned to Brotton, where he worked until the mine closed.

[1] During his time at Handen Hold, Cann became an active trade unionist, and became well-known after opposing attempted intimidation at the Castle Eden Colliery.

This led to his election to the executive of the Durham Miners' Association,[1] and in 1896, he became its treasurer.