Obituary – Mr C. Holmes (picture)

April 1938

Mexborough and Swinton Times April 8, 1938

Mr Charles Holmes died on Saturday at Northcliffe Road, Conisbrough in his 81st year.

He was the father-in-law of Councillor George Oldfield.

He is a man better known to the older generation of residents for in former days he was connected with local government, both before the days of the Conisbrough Parish Council and for some years after its formation. At one time he was chairman of the Conisbrough Parish Council and for seven successive years, and took part in the preliminary skirmishes for urban powers.

Born at Attercliffe in 1857, he began work in a pit at the age of 12 and was connected with collieries all his working life.

He came to Denaby in 1883 and in the 1885 strike he was one of those evicted and found sanctuary in Conisbrough.

He was greatly interested in local and national politics. In 1888 Conisbrough was in these throes of a contest regarding extension of the churchyard are provided a new cemetery Mr Holmes championed the latter course. A poll decided on the extension of the churchyard, but some difficulty cropped up and caused that scheme to be abandoned. The committee was disbanded and a Burial Board formed of which Mr Holmes was one of the first members, and he retained his seat on the board until the Parish Council took over the duties

He was always keenly interested in trade unions, became chief of the local branch, hours and was on many deputations to the Y.M.A. headquarters.

The interment took place at Conisbrough cemetery on Wednesday