Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 15 March 1941

Mining Chiefs Death

Mr. R. Claytor of Mitchell Main

Well-Known Personality

The death occurred on Friday of Mr. Robert Claytor, a well known mining engineer, of The Pastures, Littleover, near Derby, managing director of the Shipley Collieries. Nottingham, and Chairman and managing director of Mitchell Main Collieries Co. Ltd., owners of Mitchell Main and Darfield Main. He was 62.

Mr. Claytor was a well-known figure in mining circles, but had few social contacts at Wombwell except for the interest he took in the development of welfare and athletic facilities at Mitchell Main. He was a lover of sport and a great friend to Mitchell Main Cricket Club when they played in the Yorkshire Council.

At one time he was manager of Rotherham Main Colliery and later assumed a proprietary and executive interest in Hickleton Main Colliery. With others he acquired Shipley Collieries and became managing director of that undertaking. Some sixteen years ago he became associated in the ownership of Mitchell Main Collieries with Mr. Joseph Ebor Mitchell. J.P. whose grandfather, Mr. Joseph Mitchell, founded the mine, and on Mr. Mitchell’s death in 1927 the undertaking was acquired by Shipley Collieries. Ltd., and Mr. Claytor became the executive chief.

Mr. Claytor had his share of the difficulties associated with the mining industry, but it has always been felt that he did his best for his workpeople and had a genuine interest in the welfare of the mining communities. He had had practical experience of mining and knew the industry from A to Z.

He was a member of the Constitutional Club, London, and had many business associations in the capital. Mr. Robert Claytor’s brother, Mr. William Claytor, is general manager at Mitchell Main.

A  Grievous Loss.

Mr. Claytor suffered a grievous loss by the death of his only son, Mr. Stanley Claytor, at the age of 34, three years ago. The latter was then general manager at Mitchell Main and Mr. Claytor had set great store by his ability. He had a house at Bournemouth, where he used to recuperate, but the war emergency had kept him in close contact with the pits and he had recently felt the strain of war pressure. He leaves a widow and two daughters. His staff at Mitchell Main and Darfleld Main will remember him as “a fine mining engineer.”

Flags have been flown at half mast on the headgear at Mitchell Main and Darfield Main in tribute to him. A funeral service was held at the Parish Church, Copmanhay, Ilkeston, on Tuesday, and later the remains were cremated at Nottingham.