South Yorkshire Times,  March 3rd, 1951

Died In His Office

Cortonwood Collieries Manager’s Collapse

Mr Cyril Macdonald Rhodes Shaw (54 ), manager of Cortonwood Collieries, left his home at 23, Manor Road, West Melton. on Saturday morning apparently in normal health. He reached the colliery about 9 a.m., and, having signed his reports, was in conversation with the agent, Mr. A. G. Douthwalte, in the colliery offices, when he collapsed in his chair and died.

“Indigestion” Remark

A moment earlier Mr Shaw had complained to Mr. Douthwaite that he was suffering from indigestion.

Dr. G. R. Bailey was summoned, but Mr. Shaw was dead when he arrived at the pit. The last time Mr. Shaw saw a doctor was 12 months ago, when he suffered from a cold.

He slept well the previous night and ate a good breakfast. He gave a cheerful “good morning” to Mrs. Shaw, who saw him off at the gate

Mr. Shaw was a native of Wath-on-Dearne, his father, the late Mr. Alfred Shaw, being under-manager at Manvers Main Colliery and later managing director of the brickworks at West Melton. He died during the recent war after the brickworks had closed down.

Mr Shaw went into mining on leaving Mexborough Grammar School and started at the bottom at Manvers Main Colliery. He passed through every stage of mining until eventually he became successively shot-firer, deputy and overman. He left the post of overman at Manvers Main 16 years ago on being appointed under-manager in the Parkgate seam at Cortonwood Colliery, eventually being under-manager also of the Swallow Wood, Silkstone and Haigh Moor seams. He was appointed manager in June, 1946, and in that post had earned the respect and goodwill of all grades at the colliery.

Presentation Gold Watch

Mr. Shaw lost no opportunity of equipping himself in every phase of mining. At one time he was leader of Manvers Main Colliery rescue team, and in 1925 was presented with a gold watch for rendering flrst-aid to a Swinton man, Mr. H. N. Pollard, who had been rescued from under a run of tubs at Manvers Main. This was a gift of appreciation from officials and workmen. Mr Shaw was then a deputy in No. 3 pit. He was keenly interested in ambulance work, had many medals and certificates and was a member of the committee of the Yorkshire Collieries Ambulance League. He was a member of the Institute of Mining Engineers and of the Colliery Managers’ Association He was also vice-president of the ‘South Yorkshire Mining Society and on the committee of Schofield Technical College. At one time he taught mining subjects at Wath and Rotherham Technical School.

Mr Shaw was in the choir at Wath Parish Church as a boy. He served with the Royal Engineers in the Great War, and was a captain in the Home Guard in the second world war.

Mr. Shaw identified himself fully with the social and sporting life of the employees at Cortonwood and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the men. It was not merely as a figurehead that he occupied the positions of president of Corton-wood Colliery Bowling Club, president of Cortonwood Cricket Club, president of Cortonwood Fishing Club and chairman of the local Welfare Committee.

Mrs. Shaw was formerly Miss Mona Victoria Garrett, of Manchester House, Wath-on-Dearne There are no children.

There was a post-mortem examination but no inquest.

The interment took place at Wath Yesterday (Thursday) following a service at Wath Parish Church.