Mexborough and Swinton Times November 4, 1939

Missing Miner
Hemingfield Families Anxiety
Missing for a Fortnight

John Chambers (51), unemployed miner of 12, Top Row, Hemingfield, Wombwell has been missing from home for a fortnight. A married man with two children (one married), he got up as usual on Thursday

October 19th, and, having eaten breakfast, remarked to his wife that he was going out to seek work. Later the same morning he was seen at Elsecar and Jump, but nothing has since been heard of him.

It is feared that he may have met with an accident or is suffering from loss of memory. He has never slept away from home before but has been in the habit of going off to seek work. Neighbours and relatives have searched the district without finding the slightest clue.

Chambers was thrown out of work by the closing of Hoyland Silkstone Colliery twelve years ago, and has since been un-employed, except for short spells with the local authority and a period at Brightside, Sheffield. His wife told me that he had been greatly worried by his inability to find work.

On leaving home he was wearing a dark grey suit, grey check cap, grey socks, black boots, and white muffler. A man of average height and build, he has a slight moustache and wears glasses. The family will be grateful for any information which will relieve their anxiety.