Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 19 April 1941

Gas Engineer’s Death

Mr. E. J. Wellens of Wombwell

The death occurred on Sunday of Mr. Ernest Joseph Wellens (65), gas works engineer and manager under the Wombwell Urban Council for 22 years.

He was preparing to go to his office, when he complained of feeling ill, collapsed, and died within a few minutes. For some months he had not been in good health.

Mr. Wellens was a bachelor and lived with his sister, Miss Amelia Wellens at “Wellsend,” Dovecliffe Road, Wombwell. Before removing they lived in Barnsley Road, Wombwell, for many years.

Mr. Wellens was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas Wellens, was a native of Middleton, near Manchester. On leaving school he was a pupil under Mr. T. Duxbury, gas engineer, of Middleton. Leaving that district at the age of 15, he became gas engineer to the Hebden Bridge U.D.C., a post, he held for twelve years before taking up similar responsibilities at Grimesthorpe Gasworks Sheffield. Two years later (1917) he was engaged as a gas engineer by the Low Temperature Carbonisation Co. at Barugh, near Barnsley, and while there was associated with the development of a new coalite process.

He came to Wombwell in 1919, and in 22 years has supervised many important developments and technical changes including the treatment of crude gas. At Wombwell, Mr. Wellens was Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade, a post he relinquished only recently on medical advice, and also had charge of the public ambulance service. He was a member of the Institute of Gas Engineers.

In the social life of Wombwell. Mr. Wellens played a prominent part, and the enterprise and initiative he showed in organising local celebrations on the occasion of the Royal Jubilee and Coronation will not soon be forgotten. He was for many years president of Wombwell Town Band, and was closely associated with Wombwell Old People’s Treat movement. Mr. Wellens had been closely associated with Freemasonry, and reached high rank in the craft.

The funeral took place on Wednesday: the interment at Wombwell following services at the house and at Wombwell Parish Church. Members of Wombwell Fire Brigade and A.F.S. in uniform headed the cortege and. along with members and officials of Wombwell U.D.C., formed a guard at the entrance to the Cemetery. There were many Masonic brethren present.