Mexborough and Swinton Times, January 14, 1938
Family Ties In Industry
Unique Records of Service With Wombwell Company
Sir Samuel Roberts Criticises Amalgamation
Gold Watches for Eight Veterans
“The tradition of Wombwell Main is a tradition of loyal service, of honour, and, I hope, of affection. That is why I am deadly opposed to compulsory amalgamations. If we become part of some big concern the whole tradition of Wombwell Main will be lost.”
The value and strength of the family tie as applied to industry and exemplified in the record of Wombwell Main Colliery was expressed in these words by Sir Samuel Roberts Bart., chairman of the Company at a gathering at Barnsley on Saturday. Sir Samuel added, “I trust it will be many days before Government departments, coal bills and other people, force us into amalgamation with people we don’t want to amalgamate with.”
During the evening Sir Samuel presented gold watches suitably inscribed to eight employees of the firm, each with fifty years of service ‘ to his credit. Of the eight recipients five have retired recently and three are still working, one with 58 years service with the firm. Sir Samuel said the record for a small company was almost unique. “This to someextent is a small family company,’he said, “and the fact that so man have served it loyally and well for such a long period gives me the greatest satisfaction.”
Mr. George William Hinchliffe, retired cashier, who received a gold watch in respect of 57 years’ service, mentioned that his father, the late Mr.George Hinchliffe, was with the firm 70 years.
Benefit Society Dinner.
The occasion was a dinner given by Sir Samuel Roberts chairman of the company.
Expressing gratification at seeing such a large gathering, Sir Samuel said he had a very pleasurable duty to perform. Since their last gathering four years ago, five of their workmen had achieved further milestones in long service to the company.
Each of them were to be presented with a gold watch, suitably inscribed, to commemorate the event. (Applause).
429 Years’ Service.
One by one the veterans then went up to receive gold watches from the hands of Sir Samuel. They were: Mr. Arthur Waterton (salesman) 53 years ; Mr. George William Hinchliffe (cashier, retired) 37 years; Mr. George Barnes (time-keeper, retired) 56 years; Mr. Amos Hawksworth (deputy, retired) 52 years; Mr. H. Stables (clerk) 33 years; Mr. John Carr (clerk, retired) 50 years; Mr. John Dennis (weighman) 58 years; Mr. Thomas Cookson (overman, retired) 50 years.
The watches were inscribed, “Presented to with the thanks of the Directors of the Wombwell Main Company after years of loyal service, 8th January, 1938.”
After presenting the watches, Sir Samuel commented again on the strength of family ties at Wombwell Main and by way of a test invited those who represented the second generation to be employed at Wombwell Main to stand for a moment. About thirty members of the company rose from their seats. At the call for the third generation some twelve or fourteen guests responded, and finally the fourth generation was asked to stand. One person rose, and appropriately enough, this was Mr. Peter G. Roberts, I son of Sir Samuel and a director of the company. The cheering continued after Mr. Peter Roberts had resumed his seat.
“That shows,” said Sir Samuel, as soon as he could make his voice heard, “how very closely this company is bound up by family and individual affection and association. It seems to me that we work as one happy family (applause). The tradition of Wombwell is a tradition of loyal s!-rvice, of honour, and, I hope, of affection. That is why I am deadly opposed to compulsory amalgamations.
If we become part of some big concern the whole tradition of Wombwell is lost at once. I trust it will be many days before government departments, and coal bills and other people will force us into ; amalgamation with people we don’t want to amalgamate with.” (Applause).
