Mexborough and Swinton Times, July 1, 1922
Chief Engineer to Colleries – Ralph Williamson Obituary
With deep regret we have to announce the death, which took place at his residence, Ash Lea, Conisborough, on Tuesday morning, of Mr Ralph Williamson, Chief Engineer to the Denaby and Cadeby Main Collieries Ltd.
Mr Williamson had been ill for some weeks, following a recurrence of an old complaint, and he was in a nursing home at Sheffield up to three weeks ago. The deceased gentleman was 65 years of age.
A native of the Newcastle district, Mr Williamson had been engaged in colliery engineering all his life, and held appointments in this direction in the Newcastle Coal field.
Nearly 30 years ago, he took an appointment as Chief Engineer at the Park Hill collieries, near Wakefield, where he remained for two or three years.
He relinquished that appointment to come to Conisborough as chief engineer to the Denaby and Cadeby company, and he has held that position for 24 years. During that time great improvement in the working these two collieries been effected under his direction.
New winding machinery, and a new shaft, were installed at Cadeby, and a new set of screens erected there, whilst at Denaby Colliery the electric power plant was installed.
At the time he took up his appointment there was no electric plant at Denaby. The fitting up of the new opencast shaft at Denaby for the deep seam work which is still in progress, was being carried out under his direction and many other improvements have been carried out at the two pits, Mr Williamson being responsible for them.
Mr Williamson was well-known, apart from his position in the colliery engineering profession, ashe hadserved for a long time as a public man. He was a member of the old Conisborough Parish Council, and when Conisborough, received its urban powers, was elected on the Urban District Council, in the ranks of which there will be a vacancy through his death.
He was also a keen supporter of sport, and was actively interested in the Denaby cricket and football clubs.
He leaves a widow, two daughters and one son, and interment takes place at Conisborough Cemetery today (Friday) at 3.30.