Mexborough and Swinton Times July 26, 1929

Mr John Davison – A Methodist Pioneer

The death occurred on Tuesday of Mr John Davison, aged 77, of 75 Blythe St, Wombwell.

Mr Davison was well known in Methodist circles and his passing is a great loss to the United Methodists, with whom he had been associated for nearly half a century.

Mr Davison gave his life and is substance to religious work and never weary in well doing. He started his working life in a glass works, but later he went into the pits.

He started work at Darfield Main in 1872 and had vivid recollection of the Darfield Main Fire, in which the whole of the ponies were burned alive.

In consequence of the fire Darfield Main was closed for six years, and during that time Mr. Davison worked at Sharlston. Subsequently, be returned to Wombwell and was employed at Mitchell Main (there Pope and Pearsons’) and Darfield Main for another ten years. Then he went to Wombwell Main, where he remained for 30 years, retiring in 1921 on pension. Mrs Davison died seven years ago.

Mr. Davison devoted every spare moment to his church. He was at the building of the church in 1887 ; he never wavered in his loyalty to it, and at the time of death was superintendent and treasurer. His two sons are also in office in the Church—one as choirmaster and another organist—and among the trio have more than 120 years’ Sunday school service to their credit. All three have been recognised by the Sunday School Union.

Mr. Davison will be buried in Wombwell Cemetery to-day (Friday).