Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 9 September 1932
Obituary.
Denaby’s Loss
Colliery Official and Ambulance Pioneer
Mr. G. H. Milnes
The death occurred late on Tuesday of Mr. George Henry Milnes, for forty years an official at the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries.
He was in his 70th year and resided at 16, Wheatley Street, Denaby.
His death is mourned by ambulance workers of the district and employees of the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries. Mr. Milnes always put the welfare of the mineworkers first and stood high in their esteem. On his retirement two years ago remarkable tributes were paid him by officials and employees.
He was born near Woolley Colliery and started his working life at Thornhill Colliery. For several years he worked and studied at various collieries in the Barnsley district
About 43 years ago he went to Cadeby Colliery as a deputy. He rapidly won the regard of management and work-people, and in 1902 was transferred to Denaby Colliery as assistant to the late Mr. John Soar, on whose retirement in 1912 he succeeded him as under-manager. Mr. Milnes faithfully filled this position till two years ago, when he retired.
Like all officials of the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries, Mr. Milnes took a keen interest in ambulance work. He was a pioneer of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in the Denaby area, and played an important part in the formation of the Denaby Corps.
For many years he held the commission of ambulance officer in that corps, and only in the last few years was transferred to the reserve list. He also took an active interest in the formation of the Denaby Ambulance Club and had much to do with its success.
Mr. Milnes was the proud possessor of the King Edward Medal, awarded him for splendid work during the Cadeby explosion of 1912. He was for many years president of the Fullerton Hospital trustees. It was his boast that he had never had a wrong word said to him in this “wickedest place in the area.”