Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 01 November 1941

Wombwell Main Fatality

Killed After Returning To Pit

Mr. William Bennett Clarke (63), miner, of 67, Cemetery Road, Hemingfield, died in Beckett Hospital, Barnsley on Wednesday of last week of injuries sustained in an accident at Wombwell Main Colliery the previous day.

He was trapped between a tub and the roof while working in the Beamshaw seam.

Mr. Clarke had been secretary of Hemingfield W.M.C. for sixteen years, and was a well known figure in the village.

Clarke was born at Hemingfield and had lived in the village all his life. His father, Mr. Charles Clarke (83), of Hallsworth Avenue, Hemingfield, came to Yorkshire from Northamptonshire as a young man and was also employed at Wombwell Main. He was present at the funeral.

Mr. William Clarke spent all his working life at Wombwell Main with the exception of a short period at Elsecar Main. He gave up work in 1934, but shortly after the outbreak of war returned to the mine because of a desire to do his bit in the crisis.

He had been a member of the committee of Hemingfield W.M.C. from the time it was formed, and from 1926 had been secretary. He was also a member of the Miners’ Welfare Scheme at Hemingfleld, and took a particular interest in the children’s outing fund.

In his earlier days he played cricket and football for Hemingfield. The funeral took place at Jump and Hemingfield Cemetery on Saturday, following a service in Hemingfield Methodist Church, of which he was a member. Mr. H. Hallsworth. J.P., who conducted the service, said Mr. Clarke had always been respected as a true sportsman and a good citizen, and would be much missed.