Mexborough and Swinton Times December 20, 1929

Pit Yard Tragedy.

Wombwell Main Foreman’s Collapse.

An employee of the Wombwell Main Colliiery Company was crossing the pit-yard shortly before 11 o’clock on Sunday morning when he came across the body of George Barshow (54), of 40, Goodyear Crescent.

Mr Barstow was employed at Wombwell Main as lamp foreman. He was on duty on the day in question and from the facts revealed at a post-mortem examination it is presumed that he had a heart attack and collapsed. The result of the post-mortem examination was communicated to the District Coroner, who decided that an inquest was not necessary. The cause of death was returned as syncope.

Mr. Barstow was returning from the chemical side of the plant to the lamp station when the tragedy occurred. Five minutes earlier a workman had been chatting with him.

Mr. Barstow was a native of Mexborough but had spent the greater part of his life in Wombwell, mostly in the district of Wombwell Junction. He was employed of 15 years as lamp foreman at Cortonwood which colliery he left after the fire to take up a similar appointment at Wombwell Main. Mr. Barstow was a man of happy disposition and will be much missed by those who knew him.

He had been a member of the Wombwell Reform Club for 11 years. A widow and nine adult children are left.