Mexborough and Swinton Times June 10, 1938
A Notable Golden
Mr. & Mrs. G. H. Ashwin of Wath
A Popular Colliery Manager
Staff to Join In Celebration
An event of considerable interest not only to residents of Wath-on-Dearne but to the whole of the South Yorkshire coalfield is the Golden Wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Ashwin, of Coverleigh, Wath-on-Dearne. Mr. Ashwin is greatly respected not only at Wath Main Colliery, where he has for 31 years been agent and General Manager, but also in a wider sphere, for he is the doyen of South Yorkshire coal owners and colliery managers.
Mr. Ashwin was laid aside by a severe illness for three months last year, but returned to duty in January and his improved health has occasioned genuine pleasure at Wath Main and in colliery circles generally throughout South Yorkshire.
Mr. and Mrs. Ashwin are known to many who have cause to appreciate their interest in local affairs, both religious and charitable, and their gracious example has been of great value to all with whom they have come into contact.
They will be the recipients of hearty congratulations on Tuesday, on the attainment of their Golden Wedding and receive congratulations and best wishes for their continued health and happiness for many years.
Staff Celebration.
The golden wedding anniversary falls next Tuesday. June 14th, and Mr. and Mrs. Ashwin will spend it quietly in Scotland whither they are travelling today, Friday. Their home at Wath-on-Dearne will on June 25th be the scene of celebrations in which the whole staff of the colliery company and their wives have generously been invited to participate.
Mr. Ashwin is an Essex man, being a native of Dedham, and spent his boyhood at surroundings which are well-known by reason at Constable’s famous paintings of this part of the country. His father was the Lecturer of Dedham, and Mr. Ashwin was brought up in a very strict household of high Christian principle. In this estimable family atmosphere he learned qualities of forthrightness and integrity which are features of his character. Mr. Ashwin went to the local grammar school, long since extinct, and subsequently passed on to the Royal School of Mining Engineering, London, distinguishing himself in mathematics there. His first introduction to mining was in South Wales near Abergavenny. In his early days he was a keen cricketer and footballer and an enthusiastic follower of otter hounds.
After his marriage to Miss Marian Goodwin, a relative of Robert Browning, the poet, Mr. Ashwin’s career took him into Warwickshire where Mrs. Ashwin and he made many friends and where their family was born. Moving on to Sheffield, Mr. Ashwin became connected with Tinsley Park Colliery Company. During this time his family of four children were growing up and the education and surroundings necessary for their welfare were always foremost in the minds of Mr. and Mrs. Ashwin. In 1907 they moved to a house near Barnsley and Mr. Ashwin then began his connection with Wath Main Colliery shortly afterwards moving to Coverleigh, Wath where they now live.
Tragedy of Great War.
Mr. and Mrs. Ashwin’s elder daughter was married in 1910 at Barnsley but the Great War brought tragedy in the loss of their eldest son, Guy, who had joined the Durham Light Infantry at the outbreak of hostilities and was twice wounded before being killed at the Butte de Warlencourt in France in November 1916. He was a young man of the finest type; shy, retiring, but a fine athlete who had distinguished himself in games and sports. A memorial to him stands in the church at Dedham, but his loss has always been and will always be deeply felt by his parents. He had just before the War, started a mining career at Wath. The second daughter was married in 1915 in London and the birth of a granddaughter brought Mr. and Mrs. Ashwin great joy shortly afterwards, and helped to fill the sad gap in the family.
Yet despite this bereavement, Mr. and Mrs. Ashwin did not grudge their younger son, Dr. Humphrey Ashwin, “going” on active service during the War also, and neither Mr. Ashwin nor his wife spared themselves during the War period in their efforts for their country’s success in the vital issue which was at stake. Mrs. Ashwin devoted her’ energies to the welfare of the soldiers, organising sewing and knitting parties and sent useful parcels out, while Mr. Ashwin also worked energetically in an effort to do the work which those who had been called to the colours had had to leave. After the War Mr. and Mrs. Ashwin showed steadfastness and fortitude in making the re-adjustments occasioned by their sad loss. They turned with fresh energy and determination to parish matters and gave tune and money to many local charitable organisations. Their wonderful example was an inspiration to others and their hospitality and sympathy were a great help to many at this sad time. Not the least admirable feature of their home life has been their unfailing loyalty to each other and those around them.