Walter Sylvester

Walter Sylvester (18 December 1867 – 30 October 1944)

In 1895 he patented a device (Patent no. 9396, dated 13 May 1895) for the safe removal of pit props from tunnels in mines. During longwall mining, wooden pit props were recovered for re-use as the coal face moved forward; this was done by knocking them out with a hammer, which was a hazardous operation. Using Sylvester's device, the prop could be removed from a place of safety.

It was known locally in north Staffordshire as a "Walter". It became widely used in mining; as well as for removing props, it was used for pulling derailed wagons back onto tracks.

Sylvester left his job at Chatterley Whitfield and manufactured the device; he had a workshop in Tunstall, Staffordshire. He designed and manufactured other inventions, mostly for use in mining, and he continued to patent his devices into the 1940s. Inventions included haulage clips, chain couplings, roof supports, brackets for pit props, and collapsible pit props.