South Yorkshire Times, November 17th, 1951

Collapsed In Sheffield

Swinton Man’s Death after Attending United Match

The Sheffield City Coroner (Mr. A. P. Lockwood) on Tuesday recorded a verdict of “Natural Causes” on Stephen Kerry 45, linotype operator, of Queen Street, Swinton, who collapsed and died while returning from the Sheffield United v. Nottingham Forest football match on Saturday.

Mrs. Celia Berona Kerry said during the last few days her husband had complained of a pain in the lower part of his chest. It passed off but recurred. On Saturday, November 10th, he seemed to be better and she last saw him at 12.30 p.m. when he left home to go by train to Sheffield. Sidney Mokes, railway porter, of Alnwick Road, Sheffield, said on Saturday he was on duty at Sheffield Midland Station, when he was called to a train due to leave for Leeds. He was told a passenger had collapsed shortly after getting into his seat, and he saw Kerry sitting in a corner in a collapsed condition. With assistance Kerry was taken to the station ambulance room, but he never recovered consciousness.

Dr. H. J. Whiteley, Lecturer in Pathology at Sheffield University, said cause of death was coronary thrombosis. Kerry had had a previous attack some time ago but that had healed. The recurrence had caused his death.  Nothing could have been done if a doctor had been present when he collapsed Kerry’s condition could have been diagnosed in hospital, but his death could not have been prevented. The disease of the artery was incurable.  Dr. Whiteley added that his illness had nothing to do with his trade as a linotype operator.

Mr. Kerry was a member of a well-known Kilnhurst family. When he was ten his parents had moved to Swinton and Mr. Kerry had lived there ever since.  Youngest son of Mrs. Jane Kerry and the late Mr. Arthur Kerry he attended Kilnhurst Nationals School and Roman Terrace School, and at the age of 13 started work as an apprentice compositor in the composing rooms of the “South Yorkshire Times” Printing Co. Ltd.  With the exception of a break due to army service, he established a fine record of service in the firm’s composing room.

Keen Sportsman

A keen sportsman, Mr. Kerry had been closely associated for many years with football and cricket activities in Swinton.  He was a member of the Old Swinton Wesleyan Reform football team and more recently had been a regular supporter of Swinton Athletic Cricket Club. He was a familiar figure at nearly every Yorkshire Council game and most of the reserve team games.  He was a member of Swinton Welfare, and a ground member of Sheffield United F.C. until this season. Mr. Kerry’s keen interest in sport had shown itself in his work, for he had for many years been almost solely responsible for setting the sports copy for the different editions of the “South Yorkshire Times.”  His war service with the R.A.O.C. was terminated in 1945 through ill-health.

Mr. Kerry leaves a widow, Mrs. Rona Kerry, and a daughter Valerie.  The interment at Kilnhurst Churchyard yesterday was preceded by a funeral service in Kilnhurst Parish Church conducted by Rev. W. S. Fletcher. Before the cortege made its way to the cemetery Mr. W. P. Turner, Chairman of the Directors “South Yorkshire Times” Printing Co. Ltd. played a verse of ‘Abide with Me’ on the church organ.    At 3.15pm the staff throughout the firm observed a two minutes silence in memory of a popular colleague and friend.