Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 13 February 1891
Death of Mr. John Robinson, Hemingfield, Lundhill Colliery Manager
It is with deep regret we announce the death Mr. John Robinson, certificated manager of the Lundhill Colliery, which took place at 6:20 on Thursday evening week.
He had been ailing for some weeks, and had been under the treatment of Doctor Dyson, of Sheffield, and Doctor Seaborne, of Wombwell, but attended his work up to the Saturday previous to his death, when he was obliged to take to his bed and died as stated.
The news of his death created much surprise in the neighbourhood as it was not generally known that he was suffering from illness, and even those who were intimately acquainted with, and fully aware of his illness, were much struck when they heard he had passed away so soon.
Deceased was well known and very highly respected, he being for many years a worshipper at the Wesleyan Chapel, Wombwell, in which place he took an active and deep interest almost up to the time of his death.
He was one of its most prominent leaders and supporters, having for many years been circuit steward and superintendent of the Sunday School.
A few years ago he was elected a member of Wombwell School Board, and during his term of office managed to win golden opinions by the punctual and regular manner in which you attended the meetings, as well as by his exemplary zeal and his fearless, upright and straightforward conduct
He was perhaps best known as the manager of the Lawndale collieries, which position he has faithfully held for a period of fourteen years, or since the death of the late eminent manager Mr. Edward Beacher.
Previous to that time he filled the position of under viewer at the colliery, the faithful and efficient way in which be discharged his duties calling forth the encomiums of the various managers under whom he served, and causing them to place the greatest trust and confidence in him.
There earn be no better proof of the indomitable will and perseverance of Mr. Robinson than the fact that he commenced work at the colliery (with little or no education) as a sinker, and after having helped to put down the shafts worked his way up through the various stages till he became as we have stated above, the certificated manager of the colliery.
He was employed at the mine at tine time of the dreadful explosion, when 189 men and boys lost their lives, but was fortunately not on the morning shift on that particular day. He took an active part in recovering the bodies, and subsequently gave evidence at the inquest.
It is perhaps not generally known that he was, along with Mr Smith (at that time under viewer of the Lundhill Colliery) amongst the band of brave men who descended the Oaks Colliery at the time of the explosion in 1866. Mr. Robinson on that occasion narrowly escaped with his life, as shortly after he reached the surface another explosion took place, killing Mr. Smith and the other brave fellows who were unfortunately the pit at the time.
As manager of the Lundhill Colliery, Mr. Robinson has been eminently successful, as no pit in Yorkshire has worked more regularly, been more free from disputes, steam, or lock-outs.
He was passionately fund of flowers, nearly all his spare time being denoted to their cultivation. His garden was at all times a model one, and for neatness and beauty of design could not be surpassed by any in the neighbourhood. He was a native of Cawthorn, near Barnsley, where several of his relatives at present reside.
He was 64 years of age, and leaves a widow and three children —one son and two daughters.
The interment took place on Monday and was witness by a large concourse of people. Most of the principal shops were closed, and blinds were drawn at many homes as a token of respect. The day was observed by the workpeople employed at the colliery as a general holiday, most of them being present to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of the departed.