Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 13 November 1931
Engineer’s Retirement
Presentation to Mr. W. D. Egerton.
Fifty-Four Years at Manvers Main.
In the fitting shop at the Manvers Main Colliery on Saturday, Mr. A. T. Thomson, general manager the colliery, made a presentation to Mr. W. D. Egerton, who has retired from the position of chief engineer, on behalf of officials and workmen.
The presentation took the form of a radio-gramophone and wallet of notes for Mr. Egerton and an electric vacuum cleaner for Mrs. Egerton. Mr. Thomson referred to the tact that Egerton served his apprenticeship in that shop, and said the amount subscribed to the testimonial represented £1 for each of the 54 years Mr. Egerton had spent in the service of the Company. He remarked that Mr. Egerton’s calm determination to get things done had enabled him to serve the company well and earn the respect of aIl.
Mr. J. T. Scott, chief engineer at Barnburgh Colliery (who succeeds Mr. Egerton at Manvers Main). Mr. Bell, Mr. G. Price, Mr. G. Adey, and Mr. G. Atkinson, all spoke highly of Mr. Egerton, who in his acknowledgment said he would always have happy memories of Manvers Main and would always feel strongly attached to the colliery.
Mr. Egerton was born at Mexborough and started work in the stores department of the Manvers Main Colliery at the age of 14. He was next promoted to the fitting shop, where he spent most of his time until he was appointed assistant to his father, Mr. W. B. Egerton, who for about 30 years was chief engineer.
After acting as his father’s assistant for 22 years, Mr. Egerton succeeded him on his death, eight and a half years ago. Mr. Egerton will be 68 years old next month and on his retirement was the oldest of the colliery company’s employees.
He has for 26 years been a member of the Wath Cricket Club and for the last seven )ears has been vice-chairman of the committee. Cricket is his favourite game, and he had played both for Mexborough and for Swinton. He is also a member of the committee of the Wath Mechanics’ Institute, takes part in club games, and has won numerous prizes at billiards.