South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 03 January 1942

Fell Into Canal

Christmas Tragedy at Wath

A tragic discovery was made at Wath during Christmas, the body of Herbert Barker (48), coal miner, Barnsley Road, Wath, being recovered from the Dove and Dearne Canal.

The inquest was held by the Sheffield District Coroner (Mr. J. Kenyon Carter), at Sheffield, on Tuesday.

Mrs Barker, widow said between 8 and 8.30 p.m. on Christmas Day her husband went out, saying he was going to see a pal. She expected he was going for drink and a walk. He also said he might go to Swinton, and she was not surprised he did not return home. The next morning she was told her husband had been pulled out of the canal.

John Ready, miner, Edward Road, West Melton, said he saw Barker at 9.15 the following morning. He spoke to Barker, who appeared quite normal. He did not appear a bit like a man who would drowned himself. They walked a little way then parted, Barker going towards West Melton.

P.c. Jackson of Wath, told the Coroner that at 10.10 a.m. on December 26th a man named Dale reported to him that there was a body in the canal. He recovered the body and identified it as that of Barker, whom he knew. He examined the banks of the canal but found no marks where Barker might have slipped in. There were no marks of violence on the body. There was no evidence to suggest suicide s, and, in witness’s opinion, Barker fell into the canal

From inquiries he had made, Baiter left the Oak Tree Inn at 10 p.m. He was alone there and did not have much to drink. When he left he appeared to the landlord to quite normal and capable of looking after himself. He cheerfully wish the landlord “good night.” It was one and a half miles from the public house to the canal.

Dr. C. W. A. Lister reported that the cause of death was asphyxia from drowning. The body bad been in the water only a very short time.

The Coroner returned a verdict of “Found Drowned.” He added that in his opinion Barker accidentally fell into the canal owing either to the extreme cold or to slipping on the towpath. It was not a case of suicide or foul play.