South Yorkshire Times, November 6th 1943
Prison For Absentee
Missed 120 Shifts
For being absent from essential work at Manvers Main Colliery, John T. Brown, miner, of Church Street, Mexborough, was at the Doncaster West Riding Court on Tuesday sent to prison for a total of four months.
It was stated that his percentage of absenteeism was 85. It was stated that he left his work at the pit to become a scrap dealer. He pleaded guilty to leaving his employment without permission and to three charges of being absent from work.
Mr. A. S. Furniss, prosecuting, described Brown as a “persistent source of trouble.” Brown had disappeared from his employment at the colliery and nothing had been heard of him for some months. In all he was served with four directions to attend work, the last being in April this year. He had also refused to attend for interview.
Since April he should have worked 142 shifts, but he put in only 22, a percentage of absenteeism of 85.04. In court Brown admitted that he had not worked at the pit since July, Colliery work did not suit him, he said., He had had boils and had also had to stay away from work during the illness of his sister, with whom he lodged, to look after her house and children.