Mexborough & Swinton Times, March 17, 1939

Wombwell Scout’s Funeral

Eight sturdy Rover Scouts in uniform, headed by Assistant Commissioner E. E. Lines formed an impressive escort at the funeral at Wombwell Cemetery on Monday of King’s Scout Albert Fowler (22), only child of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Fowler of 82, Woodside Crescent, Hemingfield, Wombwell.

Scout Fowler, who had been employed as a plater at Wombwell Main Foundry under his father, died in the Beckett Hospital, Barnsley, on Thursday of last week after a long illness.

He fell sick while on holiday at Blackpool last July and until a month ago was too ill to travel. He had been in hospital a week.

Scout Fowler joined the Wombwell troop about ten years ago when it was attached to Wombwell Congregational Church, and had always shown a great devotion to the work and to the welfare of Scouts who were subordinate to him. In the troop his comradeship was greatly valued and his death cast a deep shadow on the headquarters where a flag has been flown at half-mast in honour of his memory. He had attained the rank of troop leader.

Scout Fowler attended the Village School at Hemingfield and gained a scholarship to Wath Grammar School. He had few interests apart from his work at Wombwell Main Foundry and his scouting. He had attended Scouts’ camps regularly for years and twice had been to Windsor as a King’s Scout for services in St. George’s Chapel.

Guard of Rovers

The Rovers who acted as bearers and formed a guard of honour at the cemetery gates were Assistant Rover Leader C. F. Whittaker, Rover Mates R. Garrity and R. Connelly, Rover Seconds Roy Hepworth and Frank limy, Rovers F. Lindley, Tom Blackburn and J. W. Jennings.

The coffin was draped with the troop colours on which is a wreath with the inscription, “With deepest sympathy from the officers, Hovers and Scouts ot the Wombwell Boy Scouts.” This was secured by a Rover’s shoulder knot of red, green and yellow ribbon. On the coffin was a wreath from Scout Fowler’s fiancee, Miss Daw, of Blackpool.

There were floral tokens from: Mr. and Mrs W. Richmond, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey and family, Blackpol; Florence, Jack and Charles; Mr. and Mrs. Read; Woodside, Hemingfield; Mr. and Mrs.Frank Pepper and family; uncles and cousinps at Elland; Mr. and Mrs Mrs. Daw and family; Directors of Wombwell Main Foundry; Mrs, Smith, Kingsway, Wombwell; Mi. and Mrs. White, Harry, Edna and Mrs. Beal; Mrs, Smith, Miss Bellis, Mr. and Mrs. Reeve and Jack; Auntie Vinnie, Annie and Harry; Mrs. Jessop; Len, Harry and little Doreen; “With deepest sympathy from his pal Arthur;” Uncle Sam, Auntie Alice and Mabel; Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Peaker, Rotherham: Miss Sylvia Daw, Blackpool; Mr. and Mrs. Blacker, Hilda and Bernard; Workmen and staff at Wombwell Main Foundry

Workmates’ Tribute

There was a touching scene as the cortege passed Wombwell Main foundry on the journey from the house to the cemetery. Work was suspended for some moments and employees to the number of about a hundred filed out to stand in silent tribute with bared heads at the pavement edge. This spontaneous tribute from workmen who had paused in their toil to think of greatly esteemed colleagues—the bereaved father and the son—had a visible effect on the onlookers.