Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 28 September 1912
The Late Mr Eli Croxall
Story of his Career
Public Interest in the Funeral
The body of the late Mr Eli Croxall, afternoon under manager, was one of the last to be recovered from the Cadeby mine, where, in common with so many other brave fellows, he met his death in the disastrous explosion of July 9 last.
The large number of people that attended the funeral on Sunday evidenced the respect the deceased gentleman had gained during his work in connection with the Cadeby Colliery, and his residence at Denaby.
The late Mr Croxall came to Cadeby in 1904, was rightly appreciated as a thoroughly competent mining official. He had earlier gained valuable experience of the Walsall Wood Colliery Co Ltd, was manager (Mr Arthur Hall) gave him the following good testimonial:
“This is to certify that I have known Mr Eli Croxall for the last seven years. He has been my under manager here during that time. He has been employed here by this company and the late Pelsall Coal and Iron Co Ltd, for 24 years in the following capacities: conducted two years, timber two years, stall man for years, fireman three years,’s years and under manager 11 years.
I have always found him to be a steady, honest, obliging, industrious and capable under manager. He has had a great deal of experience in wet and difficult scenes with bad roofs, and also seven or eight years experience in electric coal cutting. He is a thorough practical man and well used to the handling of men, I can well recommended for a similar post that which is held here. The sole reason of his leaving was the closing of the collieries.”
This is a tribute which speaks for itself. The truth of it has received confirmation by the satisfactory service Mr Croxall subsequently rendered to the Denaby and Cadeby Main Collieries Ltd.
This in the social movement of generate the deceased was a prominent figure. He resided in Tickhill Square, was a main supporter of the cricket and bowling that have their home nearby.
The funeral took place on Sunday, and was conducted by the Reverend S.F. Hawkes (Vicar of Denaby), while the first portion of the burial service in the Parish Church. The widow (Mrs Croxall) was unable to attend to illness and her inability to leave her bed, which she has been confined for three weeks.