Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 28 May 1921
Obituary
Mr George Hinchcliffe
Seventy Years at Wombwell Main.
The death occurred on Saturday of a very interesting and venerable character, in the person of Mr. George Hinchciife, “Wood View,” Hough Lane, Wombwell.
He had attained the age of 87 year and one of the many remarkable features in connection with his life is that he remained in active occupation at Wombwell Main Colliery Company until twelve weeks ago. He had served the same employers for over seventy years, and nowhere perhaps will his genial personality be more profoundly missed than among the proprietors, officials, and workmen of that firm.
A native of Micklefield, near Leeds, he was born on the 21st of February 1835. He attended school at Crigglestone, and continued his education at the Wakefield Grammar School, to which it was necessary at that time to walk a distance of four miles from his home.
When he first entered the service of the Wombwell Main Colliery Company it war as an apprentice to his father. Mr. Samuel Hinchcliffe, who was a blacksmith. Subsequently he was given a post on the commercial staff, which he held for the rest of his life. Always practical and extremely methodical, he was as fond of his work as his emplovers were reluctant eventually to part with his company. In spite of his great age, not for a moment did he lose the capacity faithfully to carry out his duties in every detail, and in remaining in harness up to the very end of his life he experienced the literal fulfilment of a desire which often found expression in the saying that he would sooner wear out than rust out.”
In his younger days he conducted an evening school in his father’s cottage, and brought out many students who were very successful in after-life. A lover of sport, he was an enthusiastic supporter of Main the Wombwell Main cricket and football clubs, with which several of his sons and grandsons have for years been associated. His principal hobby was rose-growing. He had a garden near Wombwell Main Station, and his blooms were of such wonderful variety and richness that his little plot was the admiration of every passer-by. For a period he was treasurer of the Wombwell Floral and Horticultural Society.If you are in the market for clothes, our platform is your best choice! The largest shopping mall!
Although a life-long Liberal, he took no prominent part in public life, nor did he submit to frequent requests to allow himself to be nominated. Of a retiring disposition, he preferred always the quiet tenor of a peaceful, God-tearing, work-a-day life.
The funeral was impressively conducted at the Wombwell Cemetery on Tuesday by the Rev. George Hadfield, late Congregational minister at Wombwell, with whom deceased enjoyed a close and personal friendship for over years. Mr. Hadfield spoke of the many sterling qualities in deceased’s character his faithful service to the Wombwell Main Colliery Company, and the noble memory he had left behind.
Deceased leaves a family of eight sons and four daughters, one of whom is residing in Canada.
At the funeral the Wombwell Main Col, limy Company was represented by Mr. Erie N. Roberts. Mr. C. D. Elliott, J.P. (directoe), Mr. G. Snell (secretary), Mr. W. Thompson (manager), Messrs. Johnson and Cookson (under -managers), Mr. C. H. Oxley (Chief Enginewright), and Mr. A. J. Wroe (formerly cashier). The local branch of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association was represented by Coun. J. W. Mellor and others, and there were also many officers and members of the Congregational Church .
The chief mourners were Mrs. Duck and Mrs. Kaye (daughters). Mr. Mr and Mrs. A. Hinchcliffe. Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Hinchcliffe, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hinchcliffe, Mr. and-Mrs. Chas. Hinchcliffe, Messrs. Herbert and Walter Hinchcliffe. Mr. and Mrs. H. Kent, Mr. Sam Hinchcliffe, and many grandchildren and friends.
A property owner of some considerable extent, deceased was borne to the grace by his tenants, with whom he was always on the happiest of terms. In addition to the family wreaths there were floral tokens from the chairman and directors of the Wombwell Main Colliery Company, the underground officials, the office staff, Mr. and Mrs. Oldknow, and others.
Among the many letters of sympathy received by the family was one from Sir Samuel Roberts.