Mexborough & Swinton Times, July 20, 1912
Charles Edward Beswich Prince
A Popular Youngster.
One of the most pathetic features of the dreadful aftermath of the week-end, was the recovery from the big fall that followed the second explosion, of the body of Charles Edward Prince, assistant deputy, who lived with his sister Miss E. Prince of The Glen, Harlington Lane, Mexborough, a member of the Mexborough Secondary School staff.
The body was recovered early on Saturday morning, and on Sunday morning it was conveyed to the unfortunate young man´s home in Nottinghamshire, in the charge of his sister, and his brother, Walter Prince.
Deceased was a sergeant in the ambulance brigade, and scoutmaster of the Denaby troop of boy scouts. As his coffin was conveyed past Wood View, Denaby Main, a company of nursing women and a squad of ambulance men lined up and respectfully saluted. The coffin was put on the train at Swinton Midland station.
Deceased was formerly associated with the Church Lads Brigade, and was prominent in the Cadeby St. John Ambulance Brigade. District Scoutmaster Mr. G. Donald Gray, of Doncaster, had a most cordial recommendation of Mr. Prince for Scoutmaster´s warrant of the 1st Denaby troop from Mr. H.S. Witty. A telegram was sent as follows to the parents of the deceased :-
” Deepest sympathy from all Scouts of Doncaster district at death of your heroic son.” It is not unlikely that steps will be taken to perpetuate the memory of the deceased in some suitable form.
On Sunday morning, the coffin containing the mortal remains of the deceased was removed from the premises of the Cadeby Main Colliery, where it had been placed for the purpose of identification, to a hearse which was waiting. Upon the coffin were placed exquisite wreaths from his young friends the Scouts, from Mr. and Mrs, Witty, from the Denaby Lawn Tennis Club, from the teachers of Mexborough Secondary School, from the Mexborough Hockey Club, and also from Mrs. Twigg, and other friends.
On the coffin lid was also the cap worn by Mr. Prince as Scoutmaster.
The procession was headed by members of the Denaby Scout troop, about thirty in number, wearing black scarves or black braid on coat sleeves. The cortege passed through Mexborough about eight o´clock and reached the Swinton Midland station ready for the eight-twenty train.
The members of the Denaby Scout troop stood at `attention near the coffin until the train drew up, and, as it was deposited in the special van the `saluted´ remaining very respectfully in that attitude until the train left the station. The early passengers were evidently much impressed by the solemn proceedings. The young scouts kept their excellent control over their feelings until the train passed and then their tears fell unrestrained.
Their beloved leader had left them and they fully realised it. It was quite pathetic after they had left the station, to see Patrol-leader Twigg re-form the troop for the return journey. Scout Witty had been in charge of the troop on the way to the station from Cadeby. On Sunday afternoon about the time the funeral ceremony was taking place in Nottingham, a memorial service was held in Mexborough Parish Church. Scouts were present from Doncaster, Mexborough, Denaby Main, Swinton, Goldthorpe, and Hickleton.
District Scoutmaster Gray of Doncaster was present, and he would have been accompanied by the borough contingent and others from the district, but for a misunderstanding in regard to the train.
There were also present Scoutmasters Spring, Harrison, Gray and Hough, and Assistants Tyas, Woods, Wrigley, Moulton and Stevenson. The Vicar and Rural Dean, the Rev. W.H.F. Bateman M.A., gave a very good and appropriate address as Chaplain of the Mexborough troop. The rev. gentleman referred to how the deceased promptly attended to the call of duty after the colliery catastrophe, rather than attend a parade at Hickleton Hall. The lessons which he had taught the troop he put into personal practice, and his heroism would long be remembered. Outside the church Scoutmaster Wild of Goldthorpe, played the `Last Post.”
Scoutmaster Spring very kindly provided tea for all the visiting officers and scouts on the lawn at his residence near the Mexborough National School.
The internment took place at twelve-forty-five in the churchyard of Risley, Nottinghamshire, two miles from `Sandiacre” the home of the Prince family, and the service was conducted by the Rev. Canon Massey, Vicar of Risley. The principal mourners included :-
Mrs. M. Prince ( widow and mother of deceased ),
Miss E.D. Prince B.A., Miss May Prince, Miss Margaret Prince and Miss Frances Prince ( sisters ), Mr. James Prince, Mr. Walter Prince, and Master Harold ( brothers ), Mr. T.W. Ireland M.A. ( headmaster Mexborough Secondary School ), Miss A.R. Banbury B.A., Mr. and Mrs. A. Huntingdon ( Mexborough ), and Mr. E. Sutcliffe B.A.
