South Yorkshire Times, August 11th 1933

Mr. V. E. Burrows

Former Wombwell Councillor

Mr. Victor Edward Burrows of Blyth Street Wombwell, died on Monday in hospital in Sheffield. He was a former member of the Wombwell Urban Council and a partner in the firm of T. Burrows and Sons, motor-coach proprietors. A native of Wombwell, Mr. Barrows was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Burrows. He attended the Barnsley Road Schools and was actively associated in his youth with the Wombwell company of the Church Lads’ Brigade, in which he held the rank of sergeant. He was a keen supporter of the C.L.B. Old Boys’ Association. Shortly after the outbreak of war he joined the 2nd (Barnsley) Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment and saw much active service, rising to the rank of sergeant-major. At one time he organised a troop of Boy Scouts in connection with Wombwell Parish Church.

Mr. Burrows had been at Mitchell Main all his working life and in pre-war days was a member of the Mitchell Main rescue team. When the call came for rescue workers for the disaster at Cadeby to 1912 he responded and performed some perilous work. He was then a colliery deputy. After the war he was appointed weighman for the company, a position he held until August of last year, when he left the mine in order to take a more active part in the motor-coach undertaking. Mr. Burrows was a member of the Wombwell Urban Council for three years as a representative of the Central Ward. He defeated, and three years later was defeated by, Mr. Thomas Newsome. For many years Mr. Burrows was a member of the committee of the Wombwell Conservative Club. He leaves a widow and five daughters.

The funeral took place at Wombwell on Wednesday, following a memorial service in Wombwell Parish Church. There was a large following of mourners. Speaking to a large assembly, the rector (the Rev. J. St. Leger Blakeney) said they all felt deeply grieved at the loss of Mr. Burrows, and their deepest sympathy went out to the relatives in their hour of trial. They prayed that heavenly comfort, help and consolation might be theirs.

Mr. Blakeney said they little realised a few weeks ago that they would so soon be holding a service of that character, but God knew best, and He had called Mr. Burrows to higher service. All who knew Mr. Burrows had a deep regard for him. He was always bright and cheerful and a pleasant soul to meet in conversation. It was very fitting and appropriate that his remains should be brought into the church which was so dear to him. The Rector recalled Mr. Burrows’ loyal and ready response to the call of his King and country at the outbreak of war and his splendid war service. Since that time he had occupied a prominent position in the town with great credit and had shown the deepest interest in the welfare and happiness of the townspeople. “He will be very much missed.” said the Rector, “but his work will remain. We shall always think of his work with very deep regard. We know he was a devoted husband, son and father. It is a great thing to leave behind a name that is honoured and respected.”

The family mourners included Mr. Burrows’ mother, his wife, children, and seven of his brothers Messrs. Albert, Hubert, Alec, Lewis, Ernest Frank and Roy Burrows. The members of the staff present were Messrs. M. Murfin, G. Leather. R. Weston, A. Leake, F. Payling, W. Bullivant, R. Smith, J. Siddaway, A. Banks, T. Parker, G. Chipchase, R Hunsley, F. Stubbs, A. Barker and H. Wood. Mr. K. Walker represented his father (Mr. P. M. Walker, Clerk to the Wombwell U.D.C.). The Council was also represented by Councillors J. Pascoe, W. Stubbs, D. Lee, Mr. W. Quest (surveyor), Mr. H. Ward (sanitary inspector. Representing the C.L.B. Old Comrades’ Association were Coun. C. Boocock and Messrs. Donald Walton, E. Weston. J. Foster, J. Wright, A. Hawksworth, J. Sergeantson, and S. Wardell. Mr. Boocock and Mr. Walton performed the ceremonial draping of the coffin with the Union Jack on behalf of the Association.

Others present were Mr. A. Forbes, representing the Barnsley branch of the National Institute for the Blind, in which Mr. Burrows took an active interest, Mr. G. Scargill, Mrs. Goddard. Mrs. Davies, Mr. J. J. Neville, Mr. S. Wardell, Mr. W. Taylor, Mrs. Small, Mrs. Leake, Mr. W. Crowther, Capt. A. E. Allott. Mr. E. S. Wroe, Mr. W. Grant, Mr. J. Shillito Mr. S. L. Beardsall, Mr. T. Smith, Mr. J. Wright, Mr. F. Hoey, Mr. H. Long, Mr. J. Sampson (representing the Barnsley and Doncaster area of the Commercial Motor Users Association), Messrs. B. Turner, 0. Maidment, S. Bellamy. jun., L. Barker. E. Weston, C. Rance, H. Rance, A. Lent (representing Rotherham R.D.C.), Messrs. J. Rolfe, C. Gamplejohn, C. H. Taylor, R. Crowther. C. Callaghan. R. Coutts (representing the Dearne District Light Railway), Mr. G. Dobie, Mr. Wrigglesworth, Mr. J. Tillbrook, Mrs. Whittlestone, Mrs. Mann, Mr. F. C. Hall, Sheffield (representing Messrs. Red Line Glico, Ltd.), Mr. R. Whiteley, Sheffield, Mr. Cos, Leeds, Mr. Thackrey, Barnsley (representing the Shell Co.), Mr. G. S. Watkin. Mr. W. Thompson, Mr. E. Turver, and Mr. W. Foster.

The coffin was borne by Messrs. C. Boocock. H. Moody, T. Dook, T. H. Good, H. Goddard, A. Jones, W. Robinson and D. Walton.

The funeral cortege was headed by Police- Inspector Booth and P.s. Aykroyd. As it passed through the, town crowds of sympathisers lined the route and many blinds were drawn. A flag was flown at half-mast on Wombwell Town Hall and the Conservative Club.