Another South African Return

July 1901

Mexborough and Swinton Times, July 12.

South African Return

Denaby accorded an enthusiastic welcome home this to Mr G.W.Goodwin, on Wednesday night week, on the occasion of his return home from South Africa. Goodwin went out to Africa in January of the present year, as a member of the ambulance Corps, together with Mr R.B.Gethen, both young men the members of the local ambulance Association.

When it became known that Goodwin was expected home on Wednesday night, the inhabitants began to bestow themselves, and make preparations for giving him a fitting reception.

Several flags fluttered from different houses in the village, and crowds of people gathered in the streets.

The Denaby Brass Band accompanied by a large concourse of people, assembled at Conisborough station in order to greet Goodwin when he arrived.

He was expected by the seven o’clock train, but his admirers were greatly disappointed when it was announced that he would not arrive until 9 PM. They still decided to wait, and the crowd in the meantime became larger.

Goodwin before going out was a member of the Denaby Football Club, and just before train time his old club mates drove up to the station in a brake, wearing their club costume and floating a large Union Jack.

There was a bitter disappointment in store for the crowd when the train did arrive, and it was ascertained that Goodwin had left the train at Mexborough, rather than face the crowd.

Nothing daunted, they reformed the procession, and marched back through Denaby, and eventually the runaway was captured, and carried amidst cheers to the strains of the “conquering hero” through the principal streets, halting at the Reresby Arms

Goodwin, who looked fairly well, was heartily congratulated upon a safe return. There was no speechmaking owing to the late hour at which he returned.

During his sojorn in Africa he contracted enteric fever, and was confined to a hospital for 10 weeks.

Mr R.B. Gethen did not return to Denaby until Saturday last, and only a few intimate friends knew of his homecoming, and this accounted for no demonstration be made in his favour.