Mexborough and Swinton Times, January 28,  1938

Mr T. Hill (with stick) and Mrs. Hill (second from right, seated), whose Golden wedding Anniversary on Tuesday was marked by a celebration arranged in their honour by the Manvers Main Collieries, Ltd.

Also in the group are: Admiral Sir T. Spence Lyne, Mr. P. H. Loyd (general manager), Mr. 0. J. Philipson (managing director), Mrs. Phillipson (seated in centre), Mr. L. R. Honeywill (secretary), Commander H. H. G. Begbie (Welfare officer), and Mr. and Mrs. Harget (friends of Mr. and Mrs. Hill).

Tuesday was a memorable day for Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hill, of Adwick-on-Dearne. On that day they were feted by the directors of the Manvers Main Collieries. Ltd.. in honour of their Golden Wedding. Each of them told a “Times” representative that it was the happiest day of their lives, and Mrs. Hill went further and said “The officials of the colliery have been goodness itself.”

They were picked up at their door by a car and taken in style to a hotel at Doncaster, where they were entertained to dinner in company with Mr. 0. J. Philipson (managing director) and Mrs. Philipson, Mr. P. H. Lloyd (general manager), Mr. L. R. Honeywill (secretary) and Commander H. H. G. Begbie (chief welfare officer). Our staff photographer caught them at the happiest moment, when Mrs. Philipson was presenting to them a purse containing two sovereigns minted in 1888.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill were later taken to a cinema show in Doncaster, and were then taken home. Their first intimation that the Colliery Company were aware of their anniversary came when they received a telegram from Mr. Philipson, reading, “On behalf of the management and- employees of Manvers Main Collieries we extend to you. hearty congratulations on the golden anniversary of your wedding and pray that you may be spared to enjoy many more years of wedded happiness.”

Of Mining Families.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill both come of coalmining families who have given their working lives to the industry to a total of 600 years.

Mr. Thomas Hill entered the service of the colliery in 1875 at the age of 11, and in 1932 he retired on pension, within four months of his 70th birthday. The first 40 years were spent at Manvers and the rest at Barnburgh. Miss Mary Ann Connolley became Mrs. T. Hill in January, 1888, and is now 70 years of age.

They have had seven children, and three sons and two daughters are living. The sons are all working on the coal face, at Barnburgh, Kilnhurst and Wath Main, and the sons-in-law are at Barnburgh and Kilnhurst There are 20 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.