South Yorkshire Times, May 9th, 1970
He’s Answered Last 999 Call
The long serving ambulance driver in the Wath ambulance service, Mr. John Hayes, has answered his last 999 call after 40 years in the job.
Mr. Hayes (65), started with the very first ambulance in the Mexborough district, and he progressed to be shift leader for an area covering Wath, Dearne, Mexborough, Swinton, Rawmarsh and Conisbrough. He retired yesterday (Thursday).
Approximately 70 guests sat down to a farewell dinner at the Halfway Hotel, Goldthorpe, last night, where Mr. Hayes was presented with a cheque by shift leader Arnold Warner, on behalf of the staff at Wath.
Representatives from Maltby, South Kirkby, Bentley and Hoyland were also there to say goodbye to the man who was a driver before there was even a service.
Now Mr. Hayes will be getting away from the blood and bandages to settle down to a peaceful retirement with his wife at their home, “The Green”, Old Denaby. The Hayes have a married son and daughter.