South Yorkshire Times, March 18th, 1944
Obituary
Mr. James A. Braithwaite
Coun. James Arthur Braithwaite, J.P., who was serving his third term of office as Chairman of Wath Urban Council, died at his home, 52, Winterwell Road, West Melton, on Saturday. Coun. Braithwaite, who was 62, had not enjoyed good health for some years.
Coun. Braithwaite, who was educated at Bampton Bierlow Endowed School, began work at Wath Main Colliery as a lamp-carrier at the age of 12, and in due time filled eery position in this mine for which a working miner is eligible.
Over 30 years ago he was appointed a member of Wath Main Branch of the Yorkshire Mineworkers’ Association and had filed every office in the branch. From 1922 until 1943 he was branch secretary. He was elected to the Urban Council in 1921, and since that time had served on all sub-committees. In 1927 he was elected Chairman and again held the position in Coronation year, 1937, and this year. He had been a member of the local Public Assistance Committee since its inception, and was formerly an Overseer of the Poor.
He was a member of Brampton Bierlow Poors’ Estate trustees, a member of Wath Education Committee, Wath Flood Control, Brampton Ellis Trustees, Mexborough Montague Hospital Board of Management, and committees connected with Wath Main Colliery, including the Production Committee. Coun. Braithwaite leaves a widow and children.