1940

   A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE 

 

 1940

 

THE WAR

JANUARY The council had asked the county council to cover the cost of converting the Lister Baths into a first-aid post. The county council offered half (£130) but Featherstone Council were not satisfied and decided to ask for an interview.
    Edwin Rowley of Purston was summonsed for driving a bus without the windows blacked out at 11.30pm in Normanton. Mr A E Pell, for the defendant, said when all was said and done he had to drive the bus and Bullock and Sons ran 200 buses, and great expense was incurred in trying to comply with the regulations. The magistrates dismissed the case against the bus driver on payment of costs, and fined B & S 10s.
   The general issue gas mask was not suitable for children who had outgrown the one for babies, so a "Mickey Mouse " gas mask, which was thought to be more enticing to young children, was given out.

A Mickey Mouse gas mask. Photo - National Education Network Gallery.

The box to contain it. photo - Hakes Auctions website.

  There was a meat shortage, but only because of transport difficulties caused by large amounts of snow and ice, and Featherstone's butchers could not open until Thursday for three weeks. Meat was rationed on value, and those over six years old were allowed 1s 10d per week and half that for those under six. Miners were allowed extra. Sugar, fats, bacon and cheese were also rationed. Everyone had a ration book and had to register and shop with one supplier.

   At the annual parochial meeting held in Purston Church vestry, the vicar, Revd T W Barry Wall, said the blackout was affecting church attendances and hence the money taken at the collections.
FEBRUARY  The council decided not to plough up any of Purston Park for food production. The storeroom at the Lister Baths and one of the cemetery chapels were be made available as mortuaries in the event of air raids. 
  About 30 women had banded together to provide garments and comforts for the Forces. They now formed a local branch of the Women's Voluntary Service and met weekly at the Social Service Centre. They adopted two local searchlight batteries and provided comforts, indoor games and amusements. Another group of about 40 women from Purston Methodist Chapel with similar objectives formed a knitting guild.  
MARCH  The clerk reported to the council on the proposed transferring of the first aid post from the Lister Baths to the Palace billiard hall. The county council agreed to pay £282 for the adaptation made to the Lister Baths for its temporary use as a first aid post.
  The local school governors agreed in principle to allow farmers to use school playing fields for grazing to compensate for the loss of their own grazing land ploughed up for food production.
APRIL  The Featherstone Subscription Silver Band played a concert in Pontefract for the York and Lancaster Regiment. Among the other artists was "Boy Heaton" of Featherstone. The event raised £26. The advert is from the Express.

  The organisers of the Old Featherstone and Ackton Children's and Old Folk's Treat Fund decided because of the war to abandon plans for their 21st carnival. 

  The Purston section of the Special Constabulary held their second annual dinner at the Junction Hotel. Supt Elliott acknowledged difficulty in providing equipment but said the fact there were 82 men in a division which only called for 60 showed their spirit. Section Commander C Faulkiner said they had raised £100 for the Christmas parcels, and had raised another £100 since. They did not know when they would be called out in earnest, but when they were they would be ready.
  The Women's Voluntary Service, in the past six months, in addition to many knitted garments had used 500 yards of material for making pyjamas and shirts for hospital use and 200 yards for making bandages.
  Featherstone Rovers played a charity match against the Pontefract Divisional Sports Club and won 22-10. Heavy rain before and during the match spoilt the finances. The players and officials were entertained by the Police Sports Club at the Junction Hotel, and Supt A Elliott said the proceeds would be given to the Purston Special Constabulary for their Comforts Fund.
MAY  The county council raised no objection to the telephone and sandbags being removed from the Lister Baths as it was no longer required as a first aid post, but declined to pay the cost. The Featherstone Council considered as the county paid for the installation they should bear the cost of removal.   
    Ronald Jolley of the Old Quarry, Houndhill Lane, was awarded the RAF's Distinguished Flying Medal for exceptional skill in action.
JUNE  The workers at Ackton Hall Colliery agreed to contribute 1d a week to the British Red Cross Fund, and 1d a month to the Special Constables Comforts Fund for parcels for men in the forces. 
  The council received notice about the delivery of another 500 Anderson shelters to be put in back gardens. It was decided they would be delivered to those with the largest families first.
JULY  The council bought 110 lamps for the street lighting to reduce the brightness against possible air raids. When the war started they decided not to plough Purston Park for food production. Now they had received a letter from the West Riding Agricultural Committee querying this. The surveyor was told to prepare a report.
  The Woman's Voluntary Service opened a depot in Station Lane to receive aluminium and other salvage goods. A large quantity of pots, pans and other metals were given. Cr Hobson told the council the Excelsior Philanthropic Society had distributed leaflets asking householders to give the society their salvage, and had left sacks to be collected later. He said "This body wants to reap the harvest of the council's spade work and I think it is most unfair". Cr Banks said this was the second time, and the first time they took four furniture vans loaded with waste. The chairman, Cr B Bradley said the ratepayers should be told not to encourage them. The West Riding Education Committee decided the schools would not close for the summer holidays, dinners and milk would continue for those in need, and the teachers would have two weeks holiday in relays.
AUGUST  When the war started the council decided not to have Purston Park ploughed for food production, but eventually they were persuaded by the West Riding Agricultural Committee it was in the national interest. Mr W H Hobman quoted 17s 6d per acre for ploughing and 7s 6d per acre for harrowing. Mrs A Rogers was to provide 30 tons of ground lime at 29s 6d per ton. Because of the changed circumstances the general public would be admitted to the children's playground on Sundays and the playground apparatus would be locked. A tender of £92 1s each was accepted by the council for ten communal type brick built shelters.
  The Special Constables held a concert at the Miners' Welfare Hall in aid of their Soldiers' Comforts Fund. Over 700 people crowded in and about 200 had to be turned away.  
SEPTEMBER  The council had erected brick shelters where Anderson shelters could not be put. There were complaints about misuse of them and the sanitary inspector said workmen had twice cleaned shelters which were very bad. That in Post Office Road was filled with stones, which suggested there must have been a miniature battle. Seats were broken all over the place, and there were complaints gambling by boys took place. Cr Woodcock said the only remedy was to put gates on which could only be opened by adults. I twas agreed to fix doors to the shelters in Market Place and Leeds Street. 
  Ladies in North Featherstone formed a Go To It Fund. Over 100 members contributed 1d a week and other efforts were to be arranged. The money would be allocated to war charities. 
  The council held a public meeting in Regent Street School to consider forming a General War Charities Fund to which everyone in the district could contribute. After much discussion it was decided the funds already operating should carry on as they were.
  The Special Constables supplied £30 worth of wool to the knitters at the Social Centre and Purston Methodist Church, 5s each to the members of the Forces home on leave, a parcel and a 5s Postal Order to every local man serving with the Forces in Iceland, and intended doing the same for all the others, and still had a healthy balance in their fund from all the social events they had arranged.
  The Purston Company of the Home Guard, under Mr W H Fleming, the manager of Ackton Hall Colliery, now had 396 members, and needed another 54 to bring it up to full strength. About 200 took part in a six miles route march.

Some of the Home Guard. A photo from the Dr Gatecliff Collection.

OCTOBER  After 12 months of knitting the Red Cross Knitting Party had made 375 articles. The Featherstone branch of the Women's Voluntary Service had knitted 549 articles and made up 1,000 yards of material into hospital garments, plus garments for child evacuees and air raid victims. The knitting class at the Social Service Centre had made 252 garments.

  The decontamination, light rescue, demolition and repair station in Post Office Road  was opened to the public for a day, as was the fire station at the council offices.    
  The Home Guard held their first social event in Gordon Street School when about 400 people turned up for a dance in aid of the Guards Comforts Fund.   
NOVEMBER  The local troops were catered for as the Social Service Centre was opened daily as a rest centre and canteen, with facilities for letter writing and reading, refreshments at low charges, and social evenings. The North Featherstone Methodist School held a weekly social evening, and the Purston Methodist Church made a room available nightly and also arranged social events.    
  The North Featherstone Go To It Club put on a concert for local troops at the Social Service Centre. Some of the troops also entertained. Members of the Women's Voluntary Service provided supper.
  The governors of the South Featherstone Modern School allowed the playing field to be used as a training area for the Home Guard. Also, the council allowed the Lister Baths to be used for indoor training.        
  Private Arthur Gascoign Sutton was captured in France by the Germans in June. He escaped and made his way to Gibraltar where he sent a cablegram to his parents in South View saying "Will be home for Christmas".
DECEMBER  There was a national Dig for Victory campaign and the council decided to sponsor a horticultural committee who would survey all existing allotments, investigate the ground conditions, give advice on equipment, and supply literature. It was hoped to arrange a show.
  The council agreed to pump water out of two Anderson shelters which had flooded and raise them up to try and prevent a recurrence. The West Riding County Council offered 30s per annum per public shelter for cleaning, and the council accepted the offer and said the shelters would be sprayed with disinfectant after air raid warnings.
  Private Sutton did arrive home for Christmas after a hazardous 1,800 miles journey. He said he had been forbidden to speak about his trying experiences (presumably so as not to spoil the chances of others who escaped) and although his health had suffered he was now feeling fit.
  Sergeant Harold Mee of Beech Tree Road was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for conspicuous bravery in flying over enemy territory.
  

THE COUNCIL

FEBRUARY  The number of council house tenants applying to replace the cooking range in the front room with a parlour fireplace had risen to 27, but the council decided to defer a decision for a month. The excessive snowfall had caused a lot of damage to gutterings and the surveyor reported he had to buy 150 lengths for repair work. The Ministry of Transport informed the West Riding County Council it was not now possible to go ahead with the proposed bypass of the main road through Purston.
MARCH  There were now 41 applications to replace the cooking ranges in council houses, but the council again deferred a decision.
APRIL  The council decided on an unchanged rate of 10s in the pound. The three months of bad weather caused the opening of the bowling green in the park to be postponed. 
  Cr B Bradley was elected chairman of the council for the next 12 months. He said his ideal when he joined the council was to reach the chairmanship, and he was very proud to have achieved it. 
JUNE  There were 23 applications for the installation of a hot water system in council houses, but the council deferred a decision because of a possible difficulty in obtaining supplies. Tenders had been received for 40 sitting room fireplaces and the Council decided to consider these in private.

THE SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE

    A new year treat was held in January for 200 members. A meat tea was followed by a concert. It was funded by Mr R C Olley and his friends at the head office of Barclay's Bank in London. That was followed on another day by a treat for 100 children who had a tea followed by games and competitions. Each child received a present, apple, orange and banana.

  The annual balance sheet, published in January, showed the only item of income was £200 received from Mr Olley's fund. A summary of the total receipts since the centre began showed £1,555 had been received of which Mr Olley and his Barclays Bank friends had contributed £1,200. The National Council of Social Services gave £250.

FATALLY SCALDED AT THE PIT

  Many surface workers at Ackton Hall Colliery took a bottle of tea to work and found somewhere to keep it hot. Bernard Owens age 18 was a screen hand and it was his usual practice to put his bottle on a steam pipe which was alongside a trench normally covered by steel plates. The plates were removed for some maintenance work, and as it was the blackout the colliery lights were out, so the two fitters went to the lamp room for lamps. While they were away Owens went to put his bottle on the steam pipe and not seeing the hole in the dark fell in and was scalded by the hot water it contained. He was taken to Pontefract General Infirmary on 15 February and he died on 11 March.

  At the inquest the coroner, Mr W Huntley, after hearing the evidence said he was in a difficulty about the case. There could be no question death was due to accidental causes, but no one could have listened to the evidence without realising one responsible official, and probably two, had left a situation which was one of danger to anyone approaching it. There was undoubtedly what he would call considerable neglect. It was for other people to consider what other proceedings, if any, should follow.

THE ROVERS

   Because of the late end to the playing season the Rovers annual meeting was held in June at the Junction Hotel while the club was still engaged in the Yorkshire Cup. A profit of £160 was made on the season, which did not include the two cup games played so far in June.  

  The secretary, Mr H Littlewood, said although wages had been reduced to £1 per match, all the players agreed to the new rule, and were playing with more vigour and enthusiasm than they did for pre-war wages. The players had the right spirit and were determined to win the Yorkshire Cup.

  The chairman, Mr A Berry, said since they took over the management of the club three years ago, the committee had never deviated from their policy not to sell any more players. They had done enough for other clubs in the league.

  Mr A Bullock was unanimously re-elected president, and the seven members of the team who had joined up would receive a gift at Christmas. 

  The Rovers did win the Yorkshire Cup, beating Wakefield Trinity 12-9 at Odsal Stadium. The team was: John Haley; Albany Longley, Walter Tennant, Bill Hughes, Jack Blackburn; Ray Hamer, Harold Moxon; Frank Hemingway, Joe Golby, Frank Dyson, Will Pearson, George Taylor, Bill Sherwood. The Express commented "The Rovers team spirit was great, and what they lacked in finesse was simply made up for by their tenacity. At no stage in the game did they appear to consider the possibility of defeat, and the manner in which they rallied to turn an interval deficit of points into a surplus will long be remembered".

  On the Wednesday after the game the players were entertained to dinner and a social gathering at the Junction Hotel by the president Mr A Bullock, who said the club was proud of every one of them. Events had proved the wisdom of the policy of retaining players. The players had received canteens of cutlery instead of winners medals, but Mr Bullock said he would provide medals to commemorate the occasion. 
  The photo of the team with the Yorkshire Cup, and the Lyon Cup won against Castleford, and that of the canteen of cutlery presented instead of a medal, were provided by Mark Kirby.

  
  The Rovers held their usual Boxing Day dance at the Lister Hall. Over 300 people attended and the event lasted six hours. The Rovers officials and players attended, and the Yorkshire Cup was exhibited. Buses were provided for the return journey of visitors from outside the district. The music was provided by Jack Tumelty's Band.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

  The Express reported the Remembrance parade was one of the largest seen for many years. It comprised of the Home Guard, West Riding Constabulary, British Legion, Fire Brigades, ARP Services, Girl Guides, St John Ambulance Brigade and the Council.

  The service at Purston Church was conducted by the Vicar of Featherstone, Revd W B Chapman, and the sermon was given by the Vicar of Purston, Revd I O Jay. After the service wreaths were laid at the War Memorial.

A YOUTH COUNCIL

  A Youth Council was formed in November with Mr E P Bullock as chairman. At the first meeting there was a long discussion on the provision of interests to occupy youths of from 14 to 20 years old, whether in recreation or in arts and crafts, swimming and other activities. Miss S J Alexander said youth should be taught to be willing to serve, and not expect to be always served. An inaugural social evening and dance would be attempted, and the West Riding Education Committee offered the use of the Gordon Street Lecture Hall, and also financial help.
  In December the idea of arranging an opening dance was abandoned. A publicity campaign would be undertaken including an approach to parents. 

MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORTS

  The medical and sanitary reports for 1939 were delayed and curtailed because of the war, and were published in December. Dr W Steven wrote the average number of unemployed over the year was 581 men and 57 women, of whom 546 were wholly unemployed. There were 169 cases of infectious disease during the year, including 96 cases of diphtheria and 56 cases of scarlet fever. Thirty-eight houses had been built, all by private enterprise.
  The sanitary inspector, Mr J Hilsley, reported a curtailment of sanitary improvements (getting rid of privies), but 97 dry ashpits had been replaced by 243 dustbins. Late in the year the slaughterhouses were closed (for Government control of the meat supply). Tins of canned food surrendered by shopkeepers added up to 226, and were destroyed along with 23 pounds of bacon.
   

1940 NEWS ITEMS

JANUARY  An inquest was held on Mrs Hope Ashton age 73 of Croft Villas who was knocked down by a bus in the blackout. She was taken to Pontefract Infirmary where she died four days later. The verdict was death by misadventure, and the coroner said in the present times it was very difficult for a person to be seen while crossing the road in front of an oncoming vehicle.

   Over 80 old and unemployed members of the North Featherstone Lane Working Men's Club had a tea and concert paid for by the other members. 

  The Specials held a dance in the Welfare Hall (the Lister Baths venue was now unavailable) and 250 people turned up. A concert in the Hippodrome attracted 700. These brought their total income for their Comforts Fund up to £82, of which £31 had been spent on Christmas parcels for Forces overseas.

FEBRUARY  The severe winter weather continued. Featherstone Rovers hadn't played a game since Christmas Day, transport difficulties continued to cause problems with meat supplies, a shortage of wagons brought Ackton Hall Colliery to a standstill, and B & S, West Riding and South Yorkshire Motors all struggled to run a bus service. They paid testimony to the many new conductresses, employed to replace men called up, who had performed well in trying circumstances.  

  At the annual meeting of the St John Ambulance Brigade it was reported they had 23 members who during the year had dealt with 863 accidents, and the ambulance had covered 6,811 miles. 

MARCH  Edward Edwards died aged 71. He was a member of Featherstone Council for many years and then won an election to the county council. He was a deputy at Featherstone Main Colliery for 35 years, and his wife was owner of the market place off Station Lane where the Monday market known locally as Teddie's Market was held.

  The annual meeting of the cricket club decided local members of the Forces on leave would have free use of the ground. Fixtures had been arranged in the Pontefract section of the Yorkshire League with six local clubs, and some friendly matches would also be played.

  The annual hospital charity event took place in the Lister Baths. The usual whist drive was not held, but more than 300 people gathered to dance to Jack Tumelty's Band. The Baths had been made available for a first aid post which was then transferred to the Palace billiard hall. It took two days to prepare the baths for the dance and the work was finished on Friday night - just in time.

APRIL  Lawrence Evans age 36, a pony driver of Allison Street, suffered spinal injuries from a fall of coal at Snydale Colliery on 4 March and he died in Pontefract General Infirmary on 13 April. The coroner gave a verdict of death by misadventure, and said it was a pure accident, and it was very unfortunate for Evans to be standing where he was when the coal fell.
  Edgar Howarth age 19 of Mount Pleasant Street, a haulage hand at Ackton Hall Colliery, died when he was buried by a fall of roof.

MAY  After evensong at the Featherstone Parish Church, the vicar, Revd W B Chapman gave an address on the history of the parish church from 1066, including the tomb of Nicholas Fairfax in the church dated 1657, and that of Langdale Sunderland of Ackton Hall dated 1698.

  A ten bay Dutch barn fire at Parkfield Farm, North Featherstone, owned by Mr G Copley, containing 40 tons of straw and farm implements, was put out by the Fire Brigade before it could spread to nearby buildings. The damage was estimated at £250.  

  Geraldine Farrar of Dora Villas, Featherstone Lane, sang with the Richard Valery Orchestra when they paid a visit to the Assembly Rooms in Pontefract.

JUNE  Two boys climbed onto the roof of a house in Victoria Street to retrieve a ball.  John Heighway of Phipps Street fell and broke both arms. Mr T Warrington rendered first aid and the boy was taken to Pontefract Infirmary. The other boy (not named) was rescued before the arrival of the fire brigade, which had been called out.

  The Junction Angling and Social Club went on an outing to Myton-on-Swale. Just before the fishing competition started a man was seen clinging to a tree on the opposite side of the river after falling down the bank. Some members hastened to his rescue and landed him safely.

  The education sub-committee reported 260 children were being fed daily, an increase of 30 on the month. Another increase was expected as many fathers had been called for military service.

JULY  it was announced Revd T W Barry Wall, Vicar of Purston, was to retire. He had been there since 1928. He was to be replaced by Idris Owen Jay, curate of St John's Church, Lock Lane, Castleford. The value of the Purston living was quoted as £402.

  Geraldine Farrar made her first radio broadcast as a singer with the Richard Valery Orchestra. 

 Geraldine Farrar. A photo provided by Ian Clayton.

AUGUST  The Hospital Sunday concerts in Purston Park were poorly attended and only realised £11 14s 6d. Mr D J Richards, for Pontefract Infirmary, congratulated the committee who had raised £115 in the six months to June. Mr G Humphreys related how the infirmary had grown from 12 to 112 beds.

  George Canning age 42, a deputy at Ackton Hall Colliery who lived in Ackworth, and Alexander Taylor age 19 a haulage hand of Granville Street, were both killed by a fall of roof. The inquest verdict was death by misadventure.

  The Vicar of Purston, Revd T W Barry Wall was presented with a cheque at the Church School to mark his retirement. It had been contributed to by those at the church, Sunday School and the day school. The vicar's warden presented the cheque and remarked on all the improvements at the church during Revd Wall's 12 years stay. 

SEPTEMBER  Clifford Marsh was fined £1 for driving his bus at 40 mph along Leeds Road at Oulton where the limit was 30 mph. He had no speedometer because the bus was registered in 1937 when they were not compulsory. He said in future he would not be so easily persuaded by Government workers eager to get home after a 12 hour shift.

  Joseph Worrell age 65, a collier of Apple Tree Road, was injured by a fall of roof at Snydale Colliery and was taken to Pontefract Infirmary where he died the next day. 

OCTOBER  Charles John Stubbs age 53 of Farm Road, a byworker at Ackton Hall Colliery, was killed by a fall of side. 

DECEMBER  Percy Weir Atkinson age 64 of Leeds was found dead in a ditch near Monk Royd Farm, Purston. At the inquest Elizabeth Curry, with whom he lodged, said she had no idea what he was doing in Featherstone. PC Lee said he saw him in Park Lane the day before his death. Dr J Duncan said death was due to natural causes, and that was the inquest verdict.

  Elizabeth Darlington, wife of the late Peter Darlington, died at Redmond, Purston, age 81. She was Featherstone's only woman magistrate, and was involved in many local public bodies including the education sub-committee. 

  An inquest was held at the Gospel Hall on Ivy Stafford age 8 of Green Lane who was run over by a lorry in Station Lane. Witnesses said she was running alongside the lorry and stumbled and fell, and the lorry driver could not possibly have seen her. The coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure. 

  The British Legion put on a New Year's Eve dance in the Lister Hall which was attended by a record crowd of 600. At midnight the company joined hands to sing Auld Lang Syne. The music was proved by a military dance band. (Note: The Express report doesn't say what the record crowd refers too. There were claims of over 700 at previous dances in the hall.)

1941

  A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE 

 1941

  

THE WAR

JANUARY The wardens held a New Year's party for over 100 children in the Featherstone Hotel. The room was gaily decorated and a festive spirit prevailed. At a general meeting of the wardens a discussion took place on uniforms and iron rations. 

 Some of the wardens. A photo from the Dr Gatecliff Collection.

   Mr J Tumelty put on a New Year carnival dance in aid of the Special Constables' Comforts Fund in the Lister Hall. Over 250 people danced to a military band.

  A New Year party for soldiers stationed in the district was held in the Social Service Centre. It was arranged by the Women's Voluntary Service.

  The Featherstone Auxiliary Fire Service and Rescue Brigades went to Manchester to help in the air raids. They worked for 16 hours without a break, and all volunteered to go again if required.  

  The council decided to set aside plots in the cemetery for members of the Forces and civil defence services killed while on duty.

  Writing in the Purston Church magazine the vicar, Revd I O Jay, wrote "A few days ago I saw something of the harm done by enemy air attack. My first thought was of the necessity of National Service on the part of civilians, and the difficulty local authorities have to persuade men and women to volunteer for some form of activity which might help to save, not merely property, but human life. It is surely a part of the Christian's duty to his neighbour to have some knowledge and training in how to deal with his neighbour or his property if either, or both, are in danger of destruction".

  The Special Constables published their annual balance sheet. They began the year with £50 and finished with £226. Collecting boxes in licensed houses yielded £158, donations £107, concerts and whist drives £93, and Ackton Hall Colliery levies £42. The total income was £507. Expenditure included grants to members of the Forces £187 and wool for the knitters £55. Sent to the Forces were 83 pairs of socks, 24 scarves, 25 helmets and 13 pairs of gloves.
FEBRUARY  Railings were being removed for scrap metal. The council agreed to give up the rails at the council offices and Purston Park. The council provided another 72 allotments to help the Dig for Victory campaign, and also agreed to the Lister Baths being used as a centre for decontaminating gas cases. 
  A week of enrollment was held at the Palace first aid post for volunteer blood donors if required. At the end 121 people had given their names.
  A farewell party was given in the Social Service Centre by the Women's Voluntary Service for troops billeted in the district who were about to leave. A farewell concert and dancing in the same venue was arranged by Mrs Ruby Blackburn. Soldiers and locals combined for the musical items.  
MARCH  Air Raid Wardens numbering 187 made a house-to-house inspection of gas masks. Some minor repairs were necessary, but generally the inspection was said to have proved satisfactory. 
  The West Riding County Council agree to bear all expenditure on the adaptation of the Lister Baths as a cleansing and decontamination centre. 
  Corporal N Sawyer of Field House Bungalow, Purston, was in charge of a bomb disposal squad in South Wales. They were on their way to attend to a delayed-action bomb and stopped for a cup of tea at a YMCA canteen. While they were there the bomb exploded. Friends in Purston and Featherstone congratulated them on their lucky escape.
APRIL  The clerk to the council read a letter from the Ministry of Home Security urging people to carry their gas masks. The chairman, Cr B Bradley, asked the councillors to give a lead. 
  Replays after drawn cup-ties were banned to limit unnecessary travelling, so in the Rovers v Castleford Rugby League Cup game when the score was 5-5 after 80 minutes they played on. It was 27 minutes later when Castleford scored a try that the game ended.
  At the Palace, 34 members of the First Aid Parties received the St John Ambulance Brigade Medallion. Dr Duncan said it is hard to do the task when called upon, but it was also hard to stand by and do nothing. People got the idea it was time wasted, but they had been making themselves efficient.  
MAY  Full scale exercises were undertaken by all the Civil Defence workers at Loscoe, Purston and Station Lane. Altogether 14 "fires" were dealt with and much valuable knowledge was gained.
  The pilot of the Catalina aircraft which located the German battleship Bismark, and led to it being sunk, travelled from London and was met by Mr J Crerar and Major Shaw of the South Kirkby, Featherstone and Hemsworth Colliery Company. He said he was glad to come to the colliery areas to see the miners who, like the men in the fighting Services, were now in the front line. He visited the group's collieries, including Ackton Hall, to speak to the men.
JUNE  Mr and Mrs George Johnson of the Junction Hotel, received word their son George, ex-captain of Featherstone Rovers, and captain of Featherstone Cricket Cub, was a prisoner of war. 
JULY  The Featherstone and Purston Special Constables' Comforts Fund abandoned the practice of sending parcels to local people serving overseas because many had been lost or spoiled. Instead, bank accounts would be opened for each man or woman, and prisoners of war would be included. They advertised for the names of those to be included.

AUGUST  The council congratulated the Auxiliary Fire Service on winning two cups in the competition at Shipley. One where 30 teams took part, and the other competed for by 60 teams. The council agreed to have a War Savings Week in aid of the production of aeroplane products. 
  The Special Constables decided to give from their Comforts for the Troops Fund 5s and 20 cigarettes to every local member of the forces home on leave from home bases, and to add the value of the cigarettes to the 5s placed to the credit of the Forces serving overseas. In the six months to July they had collected £436 from weekly whist drives, colliery levies, a dance, a concert, and a collection on the Rovers' ground. Each local soldier who was a prisoner of war had received nine parcels.
SEPTEMBER  Over 900 fire watchers were enrolled by the Air Raid Wardens, plus 75 youths and girls from the ages of 16 to 20 to act as messengers on their cycles. 
  The council purchased four large galvanised steel water tanks for emergency water supplies, but the medical officer reported water from Ackton Hall Colliery would not be safe to drink.
  The 1st Featherstone Scout Troop now had 42 members including 25 cubs. They were working hard collecting waste paper for the war effort. The Featherstone Council Employees' War Savings Group decided to raise £300 in six months for six Bren guns. At a raising ceremony at the Featherstone Buffalo Lodge by Brother Wilson, the secretary of the Grand Lodge of England said they had raised £11,200 nationally and purchased 22 ambulances for the Red Cross. They now had a fund to help members suffering from enemy action.

OCTOBER  The council chairman reported the sale of salvage during 1940 had raised £448 18s 10d. A recent special salvage drive had resulted in salvage in excess of normal of four tons of paper, 12 cwts of rags and wool, 5,000 bottles and jars, and two tons of scrap iron and other metals. The council received a notification from the Ministry of Supply to make a survey of all unnecessary iron and steel railings in the district. The governors of both South and North Featherstone Modern Schools decided to appeal against the requisitioning of boundary and gate railings.
  Mr W Wigglesworth of Granville Street wrote from a prisoner of war camp that letters were arriving often, but it took 16 weeks. He said he received a parcel in June which was sent in January. He was working on a farm as a bricklayer's labourer, a plasterer and a whitewasher.
NOVEMBER  A dance was held at the Lister Hall by Bullock and Sons staff in aid of the B & S Comforts Fund. About 70 members of the firm were serving with the Forces, and every months they received cigarettes, a Postal Order and a cheery letter.
  Representatives of Air Raid Wardens, Special Constables, Home Guard, Women's Voluntary Services, First Aid Post, Featherstone Youth Club, the Cricket Club and the Rovers met at the Junction Hotel and agreed to form a joint committee to organise an effort in aid of the Institute for the Blind, to help all members of the war services blinded while carrying out their duties.
DECEMBER  Saturday dances were held at the Lister Hall by the Special Constables in aid of their Comforts Fund. The attendance was usually about 300. 
  The Council and representatives of 45 organisations met at the Miners' Welfare Institute to form a committee to organise local efforts to help Russia. Cr B Bradley emphasised the magnificent resistance our Russian allies were offering to the enemy, and said every effort should be made by Featherstone and district to provide as much practical assistance as possible. Mr E Rowley stressed party politics did not enter into the effort.

   

THE COUNCIL

JANUARY  A watch would be kept at the South Featherstone sewage farm to stop the theft of potatoes. The council agreed with a request by the Featherstone Youth Council for a section of the County Library to be set aside for young people.
FEBRUARY  The medical officer, Dr W Steven, urged the council to take steps to eradicate scabies from the district. He was asked to combine with the sanitary inspector and submit a scheme. 
MARCH  The medical officer reported there had been 106 cases of measles last month, influenza was again prevalent, and brought up again the question of dealing with scabies. It was decided to ask if Ackton Hospital could be used as a treatment centre. 
APRIL  The Ackton Hospital committee replied they did not have the facilities to deal with scabies. It was reported there were 113 cases of measles last month. The rates were kept at 10s in the pound. Cr A Evans said the council had struggled along on a low balance for two years until warned by the auditor, and although the proportion sent to the county council had gone down they had to play safe.
  Cr B Bradley was re-elected chairman. He expressed the hope that before the end of his term of office national and international conditions would be vastly improved. 
MAY The council decided if there were no applications from married couples for the Little Lane bungalows then applications would be considered from single old age pensioners, male or female. It was decided to continue with the policy of converting a limited number of privies into WC's each half-year, the council to contribute towards the cost. 
JULY  The council agreed to continue removing the cooking ranges in council house front rooms and replacing them with a modern sitting room range. It would be done in districts as far as possible instead of the previous strict order of application.
  Osgoldcross Rural District Council asked if Featherstone Council could provide an ambulance service. Cr Rowley's suggestion that as Featherstone had two ambulances and two drivers, one should be sent when available at a charge of 1s a mile was adopted.
SEPTEMBER  The council horticultural committee held a garden show in Regent Street School. There were over 300 entries, and all the produce was auctioned off after the show. The event raised £75 for the Red Cross.
OCTOBER  It was decided to withdraw the ambulance service from Osgoldcross Council because of labour restrictions, and to inform the Crofton authorities they could not have a service in future. It had been hoped to reduce the rates for the next six months. Cr A Evans said the surplus which was wanted had not been achieved, so the rates would remain at 10s in the £1.
NOVEMBER  The council had considered putting up a barrier at the bottom of Station Lane bus stop for crowd control, but decided in the blackout it would be dangerous which would far outweigh any benefits. It was agreed to buy another 20 sitting room fireplaces for council houses and then defer buying any more because of the war. 
DECEMBER  The council were concerned at the spread of scabies in the district. Cr Rowley suggested an appeal to the mothers. He thought the disease was in some measure due to the women undertaking too many responsibilities and neglecting their children. 
  The horticultural committee said there were now 1,047 allotments and recommended there should be no more apart from those already under consideration which should be plots of 300 square yards instead of one square chain (484 square yards). 

PIT ACCIDENT 13 YEARS AGO

  An inquest was held at the Middleton Sanatorium near Ilkley in January on Stanley Tucker age 30 of Girnhill Lane Club. It was stated he was employed at Ackton Hall Colliery from the age of 13 until he was 17. He was knocked down by tubs and injured his spine. He had to wear a steel waistcoat and never worked again, although he was able to walk.

  Dr H E Raeburn, medical superintendent, said when admitted Tucker's general condition was poor with extensive disease of both lungs. It was difficult for him to say if the condition had any relation to the accident in the pit.

  The jury returned a verdict that death was due to pulmonary tuberculosis, which was the result of that accident 13 years ago, by lowering his resistance.

FEATHERSTONE YOUTH CLUB

  In November 1939 the Board of Education sent Circular 1486 to County Education Committees for local Youth Councils to be set up to cater for the social and physical development of boys and girls from 14 to 20 who had ceased full-time education. This was done in Featherstone in November 1940.

  In January the Featherstone Youth Council was informed Featherstone Council had agreed to support their request for a room at the Miners' Welfare Institute, and the West Riding Education Committee had agreed George Street and Snydale Schools should be "blacked out" and youth clubs formed there.
   Many young people attended the informal opening in February of Featherstone Youth Club in George Street School. It was for both sexes between the ages of 14 and 20. It was agreed to have a canteen and library, and a questionnaire would be issued on the forms of activity the members would like to undertake.
  Keep fit classes began with instructors Mr H Stacey and Miss F Martin. The Youth Council was sponsoring instruction classes for Boy Scouts to prepare them for joining the Air Training Corps.
  A deputation from the West Riding County Council visited the Featherstone Youth Club in March and were highly satisfied with the facilities offered. The membership had now passed 80. 
  The members of the club requested it should be opened on Sunday evenings. Revd I O Jay supported the request providing it was not during church service hours. The management committee of the club unanimously agreed to open from 7.30 to 9.30, and to allow all the usual club activities. The girls agreed to purchase their own physical training dresses, and an instructor had been appointed for the gardening section. It was proposed to open the club one night a week for girls for dressmaking and for knitting comforts for the troops. At the first Sunday opening 120 members turned up. All the activities except dancing were available. On the second Sunday 200 turned up.
  In April organisers were chosen for the activities of the club which were camping, cycling, football, cricket, dramatics and singing, swimming, films, gardening, military training, stamp collecting and dressmaking.
  By May 250 members were attending on Sundays. Revd W B Chapman, Vicar of Featherstone, wrote asking for the Sunday club to open at 8pm so as not to interfere with church services. The committee agreed. The vicar also queried the Sunday cycling club saying it was difficult to see how the club ministers to the spiritual welfare of the members, whatever it may do for them physically and mentally. On that matter no action was taken. In July the committee decided an 8pm start on a Sunday wouldn't work and discontinued it. 
  The official opening of the club took place in July and was performed by Mr J Crerar, the managing director of the South Kirkby, Hemsworth and Featherstone Collieries. Others present were Mr J E Nelson, manager of Ackton Hall Colliery, and Mr Norman Baxter the colliery agent. 

SOCIAL WORKERS MARRY

  The marriage took place in March of Ernest Peter Bullock and Anne Darlington. He was managing director of South Yorkshire Motors Ltd, chairman of the Featherstone Youth Council, president of Featherstone Social Service Centre, and a member of the Featherstone education sub-committee. He was also an active Methodist worker.

  The bride, daughter of the late Cr and Mrs Peter Darlington, was a governor of the Pontefract and District Girls' High School, also a member of the education sub-committee, and a social worker in many other spheres, particularly child welfare.

INJURING THE SURFACE OF THE HIGHWAY

  Four Featherstone men were charged in March under the Highway Act of 1835 with injuring the surface of the road by removing gulley grates at Crofton. They were Norman Westwood, Alfred Hobson, James Lockett and Ernest Longley.

  Sergeant Garrod and PC Twentyman were escorting a prisoner to Wakefield when they passed the four men who they said were under the influence of drink. Then they noticed gulley grates at the side of the road had been removed, 26 in all. PC Twentyman went after the four men and noticed they had a wet muddy deposit on them although it was a dry night. They were told they would be reported.  

  Only Westwood and Hobson appeared in Wakefield Court. Longley was said to be be in the Army, and Lockett sent a letter pleading not guilty. The two who appeared said they had had a night out in Wakefield which ended in a fight, the result of an argument in a public house. They pleaded not guilty but all were fined £1.

THE CRICKET CLUB

  The Featherstone and Purston Cricket, Tennis and Bowling Club held their annual meeting at the Junction Hotel in March. They unanimously decided to carry on next season. The chairman, Mr G Johnson, said they had to think of the youths who were growing up and wanted recreation to keep them fit, but every member must be prepared to do something for nothing.

  The secretary, Mr A Maleham, pointed out 13 playing members had joined the forces. Mr E C Jordan said it was not a question of winning or losing, but playing the game and carrying on. It was agreed all members of the club who had joined the forces should be retained in membership, and should have facilities for play when at home. 
  At another meeting in December it was said they had made a profit on the season of £47. The chairman, George Johnson, said he had never seen a better balance sheet. There were now 25 playing members in the Forces.

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS

  For the tenth successive year the players of Featherstone Rovers entertained the officials and friends at the Junction Hotel in June. Because of war-time restrictions, sandwiches took the place of the usual dinner. Mr W Williams presided, and said the club performed well last season. Results would have been better but for injuries at a crucial stage.

  Mr J Crerar, a vice-president, said they were a grand set of lads doing their bit for their country in their work, and he hoped it would be possible to keep them together. Mr A Berry, the club chairman, said they had skillful and promising young players, for whom he predicted successful football careers. 
  At the annual meeting a week later, Mr A Berry, the chairman, said it was a constant struggle to keep going but they would carry on as long as there was football to be had. They had many clever, young players who could hold their own against the best they had to meet.
  Mr H Littlewood, the secretary/treasurer reported a profit on the season of £181, and announced with regret that Poole had been reported missing, and Pearson was unlikely to play football again because of injury. 
  There was a crowd of 650 for the Boxing Day dance in the Lister Hall, said to be a record. Proceeds from the sale of tickets were £47.

STOP GROUSING

  In the August issue of the parish magazine Revd W B Chapman suggested Christians should stop grousing about rations, and not let all their conversations centre round food and the difficulties in shopping. He wrote "There are bound to be difficulties at such a time, but ought not we, who have so far escaped what has befallen some areas, be more mindful of our blessings, and brood less over the hardships we have to bear? What are these hardships compared with what some of our fellow countrymen have had to endure? If the commodities we want are not in stock, it is not necessarily the fault of the shopkeeper. These are by no means trivial matters. The selfish, the inconsiderate, the grousers are only a very small minority in Featherstone, but their unwholesome influence needs to be counteracted by what had been called sanctified commonsense".  

FEATHERSTONE SOLDIER DROWNED WHILE AT TRAINING CAMP

  George and Emma Leyland of Pretoria Street were told in September their son George Henry age 21 was missing from training camp near Truro. The police visited to make sure he hadn't deserted and returned home. After a few days they received a telegram to say his body had been recovered from the sea. He had never seen the sea, and it was assumed he had slipped while trying to climb down the cliffs. He had only been in the Army for eleven weeks. His officers deplored the loss of a very decent and willing lad who would have made a good soldier. 
  The inquest was held in St Agnes, Cornwall, where Sergeant P E Hurren said he was unable to identify the body. Dr William Whitworth, who found the body, said the only clothing was a pair of military trousers and socks. Captain E Campbell of the Royal Army Medical Corps said the body had been in the sea for at least 14 days. He considered it likely it was that of Gunner Leyland because no other man was missing. The coroner thought it fairly safe to conclude the body was that of Gunner Leyland, but in the absence of evidence to show how he came by his end there would have to be an open verdict of found dead in the sea.
  The body was sent back home by train, and reached Featherstone, Northumberland, before being directed to the correct destination. Members of Featherstone Home Guard acted as bearers at the funeral. 

George Leyland. A family photo.

FEATHERSTONE WORKER UP NORTH IN TROUBLE

    A Policeman in the north-east (exact location not given) stopped Frank Westerman of Station Lane as he left work in October because he saw something bulky under his overcoat. Frank, a sheet metal worker, produced two metal hand shovels. He was taken to court accused of stealing the property of the Government value 2s.

  In a statement he said "I picked up two pieces of scrap metal and made two hand shovels. I didn't think I was doing anything wrong. I have been working in shipyards where it is common practice to do this sort of thing". The magistrate's clerk said they are very useful lumps of scrap.

  The Bench said they accepted his statement that he thought he could take scrap for this purpose, but fined him 10s.

PIT CAGE ACCIDENT

  In October there was a winding accident at Ackton Hall Colliery. The cages with men in failed to stop and one went into the head gear and the other crashed at the bottom of the shaft. Six men were injured and they were all taken to Pontefract General Infirmary. Detained were James Bennett age 43 of Albert Street, injuries to spine and left leg; John Kelley age 47 of Stanley Street, internal injuries and injuries to both legs; Wilfred Davies age 43 of Willow Dor, leg fracture and suspected internal injuries; William Rudge age 43 of Kimberley Street, fractured left knee; and Thomas Davies age 52 of Hill (Hall?) Street, concussion. Joshua Tilford age 56 of Little Lane was treated for multiple bruises and discharged. James Bennett died from his injuries 19 days after the accident. The inquest was adjourned until it was established how the other men fared.

 

1941 NEWS ITEMS

FEBRUARY  The annual effort at the Lister Baths in aid of local hospitals was attended by about 300 dancers. The music was supplied by the York and Lancaster Regiment Dance Band. It had been decided to drop the usual whist drive from the occasion.

MARCH  The fire brigade was called out to a fire at the boiler house at Gordon Street Senior School discovered by the caretaker, Mr J Seal. The work of the firemen was made more difficult by the confined space in which they had to work. The brigade were there for three hours and prevented the flames spreading to the classrooms. 

APRIL  James Ernest Roberts age 28 of Post Office Road was killed by a fall of roof at Ackton Hall Colliery. The coroner at the Gospel Hall inquest recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

  Silas Millard age 25 of Earle Street was riding a motorcycle to Pontefract with his mother on the pillion. He took the corner at Purston School too fast and had to swerve to avoid a telephone post. He skidded and both were thrown off. Silas was taken to Pontefract Infirmary where he died shortly after from a fractured skull. The inquest verdict was death by misadventure. 

MAY  A motorist travelling along Pontefract Road noticed the roof of Mr C Robert's blacksmith's shop was on fire. He summoned the fire brigade but when they arrived they found Mr Roberts had knocked off the burning eaves with an iron bar. 

JUNE  Mr and Mrs Wigglesworth of Granville Street, after many months of suspense, received a letter from their son Walter who was a prisoner of war in Germany. He revealed he was captured at Lille on 28 May last year.

  Sergeant Bernard Clifton age 20, son of Mr and Mrs H Clifton of Glen Spey, Purston, was awarded the DFC. He was a wireless operator and air gunner and had taken part in many bombing raids. 

  John Reuben Senior age 67 of Ackworth was loading arch girders onto the cage at the top of the shaft at Ackworth Pit. He was working with Thomas Albert Woodfield of Mount Pleasant Street. Woodfield told an inquest Senior had loaded an arch and called out "Right" and then he disappeared in the gap between the cage and the landing and fell down the shaft. The verdict was death by misadventure.

  About 40 girl conductors came out on strike at the Featherstone B & S depot over a dispute on the checking of ticket money and wage rates. After two days they returned to work.

  Mr A Maleham, the secretary of the cricket club, was faced with the prospect of being called up so he resigned. His place was taken by Mr S Denton.

  A schoolboy age 12 and two others age 9 admitted in the juvenile court stealing bottles of mineral water valued at 9s 1d from the refreshment room on the cricket ground. The older lad, who had been in other trouble, was sent to a remand home until a place for him could be found in an approved school. The other two were let off. 

  Cr Aaron Evans JP retired from the presidency of the Snydale Colliery Branch of the Yorkshire Mineworkers' Association after 40 years continuous service. Born in Staffordshire, he began work at Snydale Colliery when he was 15. 

JULY  Bugler King came to England with the Lorne Scots (Canadian Army). He hadn't seen his mother for over 30 years so he wrote to Featherstone Police who traced his mother, Mrs Bull of Arundel Street.

AUGUST  Benjamin Collins of Station Lane was awarded the Royal Humane Society Parchment Certificate for saving Hannah Wilby of Bradford who had fallen into the Aire and Calder Canal in Wakefield. He was presented with his certificate by the Mayor of Wakefield at Wakefield City Court.

  John Bramham was one of a team cutting corn at Monk Royd Farm. He was sat on the binder, and after a hare was seen he cocked his double-barrelled shotgun and placed it on the binder. There was a bang and he was found in a dying condition. At the inquest the coroner said it was clear something had dislodged the gun, caught the hammer and discharged the cartridge. A binder was a very unsafe position for a loaded and cocked hammer-gun. A verdict of accidental death was recorded.

OCTOBER  Pupil numbers were down at both North and South Featherstone Modern Schools and five classes at South Featherstone and three at North Featherstone were discontinued. 

NOVEMBER  The British Legion reported their Poppy Day collection totalled a record £80 16s 9d.