South Yorkshire Times January 29, 1949

Obituary – Mr Jim Auckland

Well known in his younger days as a runner, Mr Jim Auckland (80), died on Saturday In Balby Hospital.

For the last 11 months he had been living with his eldest son and daughter – in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Auckland of 14, Stubbs Road, Wombwell.

Mr, Auckland was very active for his age and it was only three weeks ago that he was taken ill at Station Road W.M.C. and transferred to Balby Hospital. Mr. Auckland was born at Kilnhurst but came to Wombwell at an early age. For many years he worked as a glassblower at Redfearns and later was an employee for 25 years in Wombwell U.D.C. sanitary department. He retired at 69. Mr. Auckland married Miss Clara Ann Gillan of Elsecar and they brought up 16 children, 10 sons and four daughters surviving. He had lived at 11, Alma Street, Wombwell, for over 60 years prior to living at 14, Stubbs Road.

His one passion was running which he did in his spare time after working a ten and a half hour shift in the glass works. He was regarded as one of the best runners in Wombwell at the beginning of the century. He talked of his one real hobby right up to the last. Mr. Thomas Auckland recalls seeing his father, given a straight run, clear a canal lock easily.

Jim Auckland won many handicaps. He was at one time given the chance to travel to America to run against an American team but declined. One of his pals, another well-known Wombwell runner, Johnny Moore accepted. All the Auckland family, excepting two in Bradford and one in London, live in the Wombwell district. There are also many grandchildren and great grandchildren.