Photos taken by local photographers have captured some of the most pivotal moments in Millom's history in the early 20th century.

The Sankeys, a father and son trio from Barrow, documented life for over 70 years capturing life in and around South Cumbria. 

Contained in an online archive made available by Signal Film and Media are poignant moments the family captured in the coastal town.

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These include incredibly early pictures of Market Square in 1910.

In one image of the square, two men with a bike and two ladies with a dog are pictured with a drinking fountain and horse trough in the background.

The clock tower and council offices can be seen in another with a horse-drawn ice cream cart in among some very early motor cars.

Horse-drawn ice cream cart pictured among motor cars in Market Square in the 1910s (Image: Sankey online archive) Millom's famous ironworks, which raised around 25 million tons of some of the richest haematite iron ore in the world during its 105 years of mining, can also be seen in the early 20th century.

The aftermath of the 1913 Millom rail crash in which rail staff managed to miraculously escaped with their lives was also captured

Workmen on the track after the Millom rail crash in 1913 - one who looks to be the manager next to a derailed carriage (Image: Sankey Archive) In February of that year, the 6.26am passenger train from Barrow was being shunted into the coach shed when a goods train from Whitehaven crashed into the last coach.

The engine was derailed with the carriage crashing over into the signal-box and was described as 'being splintered like matchwood'.

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The structure was practically demolished and its signalman, Mr Holmes, narrowly escaped being killed outright.

He was saved due to the fact that he was pinned to a chimney by a piece of wood and only received cuts about the head.

Wheel examiner Mr Jones also had a miraculous escape as his cabin was also totally wrecked.

The engine driver and stoker of the goods train escaped without a scratch.

Workmen, dignitaries and a policeman pictured alongside Millom's crashed carriage and de-railed engine No 8 (Image: Sankey Archive) Over a decade later, hundreds of people are pictured at the unveiling Millom War by  Memorial Maj. General Sir Louis Vaughan in front of the Masonic Hall on Duke Street.

The names of 213 men were inscribed on the memorial and the dedication was by The Bishop of Barrow.

The 1925 crowd includes dignitaries soldiers and a military band.

A group of dignitaries gathered around the Millom war memorial in 1925 during its unveiling and dedication ceremony (Image: Sankey online archive) Two years later, Edward, Prince of Wales, was captured on his Royal visit to Millom.

At the end of the First World War, there was little demand for iron to make shells and ships with widespread unemployment throughout West Cumberland.

His Royal Highness visited the town as part of a tour of West Cumberland looking at projects to help the unemployed. 

Among the many images is the prince inspecting a row of ex-soldiers wearing medals close the war memorial.

Prince of Wales flanked by two men on his visit to Millom in 1927 (Image: Sankey online archive) Take a look at our gallery to see more images of Millom in the early 20th century.

Anyone wanting to use the Sankey photos in a book, online or in an exhibition need to ask permission to use the photos from Cumbria Archives and there may be a charge.

Downloading images for personal use is fine however.  The full details on copyright are here: https://www.sankeyphotoarchive.uk/contact/.