South Yorkshire Times, January 2, 1943

Diary of 1942

Some Memorable Events

January.

17—Death of Canon H. T. Eddershaw, Vicar of Conisbrough for five years.

25—B.B.C. morning service broadcast from Mexborough Parish Church.

February.

9—Mexborough Section of the Sheffield branch of the Typographical Association celebrated 50th anniversary.

14—Death of Mr. F. C. Hunter, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Manvers Main Collieries, Ltd.

17—Wombwell man among 13 pit-workers killed in Barnsley main explosion.

March.

16—Death of Mr. F. Palframan, former Wath councillor.

April.

9—Frank Chivers, well known South Yorkshire footballer, killed by fall at Barnburgh Main Colliery.

24—Huge fall of roof at Barnburgh Main Colliery. Eighteen men were trapped, one escaping a few hours later. Eight men rescued after 43 hours and another five on Monday, April 26th. Four men killed.

28—Public inquiry into Swinton U.D.C.’s application to the Ministry of Health for consent to borrow £3,300 for purpose of improving town’s water supply.

May.

8—Pithead canteen and solarium opened at Manvers Main Colliery by Mr. D. R. Grenfell, Secretary for Mines.

27—Reported at Swinton U.D.C. meeting that water scheme had been approved by Ministry of Health.

30—Outbreak of lightning strikes in South Yorkshire coalfield during previous ten days due to dissatisfaction over wages. Arthur Wheater (34), Hems-worth soldier, sentenced to death for murder of Harold Smith, reprieved by Home Secretary.

June.

10—Death of Mrs. C. E. Thomson, wife of Mr. A. T. Thomson, of Wath.

17—Death of Mr. Harry Thompson, of Mexborough, former secretary of Montagu Hospital, for many years.

July.

3—Dr. J. J. Huey, former Mexborough Medical Officer of Health, and well known throughout district, retired from practice.

25—Death of Miss Doris Cotton, for 23 years employee of ” South Yorkshire Times ” printing Co., Ltd,

August.

15—Trade unionism suffered big loss by death of Coun. W. M. Starkey, of Thurnscoe, for many years a Dearne councillor.

16—Broadcast from bottom of shaft at Barnburgh Main Colliery, not far from scene of big fall in April.

18—Cheque for £500 handed over by Mexborough Charity Cricket Committee for endowment of ” Cricketers Bed ” at Montagu Hospital.

September.

7—Hickleton Main defeated Batley in Yorkshire Council cricket final.

20—Party of A.T.S. girls visited Hickleton Main Colliery and inspected underground workings.

October.

1—Mr. A. P. Ridge, Manager of Wath Branch for 15 years, retired after 49 years’ service with Midland Bank.

17—Squadron Leader Royce C. Wilkinson, D.F.M. and Bar, native of Mexborough, and leader of ace fighter squadron, awarded M.B.E.

26—Major Gwilym Lloyd George, Minister of Fuel and Power, visited Frickley and Cortonwood Collieries during tour of Yorkshire coalfield.

November.

3—Mexboroug11 Oxford Road Methodist Church destroyed by fire.

15—Church bells rung throughout the country in honour of big victory over Germans in Middle East.

26—Death of Captain H. W. Leggott, headmaster of Goldthorpe Junior Boys’ School, and Commander of Mexborough Sub-Division of the Special Constabulary.

December.

1—Strike at Cortonwood Colliery following price list dispute. Pit at standstill for several weeks.

7—Three men, two from Swinton and the other from Mexborough, killed in road smash at Warren Vale, Rawmarsh.

16 – Mr. T. S. Charltown, Managing Director of Cortonwood Collieries, and Mr. J. A. Hall, J.P., President of the Y.M.A., appointed to newly-formed National Coal Board.