37 Years in Coal Industry – Denaby Scientist Honoured

October 1951

South Yorkshire Times April 7, 1951

37 Years in Coal Industry

Denaby Scientist Honoured

Former colleagues with the old Denaby and Cadeby Amalgamated Colliery Company and more recent colleagues at the N.C.B.’s No. 3 (Rotherham) Area scientific department met last Friday to mark the retirement of Mr. John Earnshaw after 37 years in the coal industry. They presented him with a coffee-table and .an electric fire. The Presentation was made by Mr. E. T. Hardy, formerly Engineer with Denaby and Cadeby Amalgamated Colliery Company, and now Chief Engineer with the N.C.B.’s No. 1 (Worksop) Area.

Dr. G. S. Haslam, North-Eastern Divisional Scientist for the N.C.B., spoke of the “tremendous assistance” given by Mr. Earnshaw in tackling difficulties underground. “In many spheres of our work he was always ready to help,” he said.

Mr. S. Halford, Agent for Denaby and Cadeby Collieries, referred to Mr. Earshaw, Dr. Haslam and Mr. E. White (now No. 1 Area Chief scientist – formerly with Denaby and Cadeby) as “The Three Musketeers” and spoke of the excellent work done by Mr. Earnshaw in connection with pit ventilation problems.

Mr. White said that he had known Mr. Earnshaw since 1918 and in all that time he had never heard him say a bad word about anyone or do anyone a bad turn.

“I don’t think you could pay a greater tribute than that to any man,” he added.

Mr Earnshaw referred to the presentation as “a great occasion for me.” He spoke of the happy times he had spent at the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries.

Mr Hardy said that during his time as chief engineer for Denaby and Cadeby colliery he apparently found it necessary to consult Mr Earnshaw and had always got all the help he could hope for.