Mexborough and Swinton Times, April 29th, 1932
Kilnhurst’s Kind Farewell
On Saturday at the Ship Inn, Kilnhurst, presentations were made to Mr. H. P. Bower, engineer at Stewart Lloyds’ Kilnhurst Collieries who is leaving to take up a similar position at a colliery near Coventry. Mr. Bower came from a colliery in Warwickshire ten years ago to Kilnhurst and has supervised the re-organisation of the colliery plant and taken an important part in the social life of the district. It is chiefly through his efforts that the village has been provided with a splendid little sports ground.
His work at the colliery has included the erection of a new headgear at No. 1 shaft, the sinking of a new shaft to the Silkstone seam, new headgear at No. 2 shaft with all modern appliances attached thereto, a water softening plant and new screens. Two years ago when the bed of No. 1 winding engine broke up by almost superhuman efforts a long stoppage was averted and work re-commenced within a few days.
The ceremony began with a tea attended by Mr. F. Stanier, agent of the Colliery Company, and surface and underground officials, as well as most of the surface workers.
A First-Rate Engineer
Mr. Stanley paid a tribute to Mr. Bower as an engineer of first-class ability, untiring energy and wide experience. In the many important changes during the ten years Mr. Bower had always found a satisfactory solution to their problems. The directors had a great respect for Mr. Bower and, while congratulating him upon his appointment, regretted he was severing his connection with the firm.
Mr. Bower had received a handsome gold watch, suitably inscribed, and a gold and platinum chain from two directors, Mr. C. S. E. and Mr. P. H. E. Lloyd, and a wallet of notes from the officials.
Mr. H. Large, who presided, said that all present had learned to respect Mr. Bower for his efficiency and to regard him as a friend who did his duty to the company with every consideration for the men.
In the little leisure he had he encouraged sport and through his influence Kilnhurst had been equipped with a grand little ground which would remain a monument to him. His (Mr. Large’s) personal association with Mr. Bower had been very happy and he felt his departure as keenly as anyone.
Always on the Job
Mr. A. W. Gray (manager) referred to some of the mechanical improvements engineered b Nr. Bower, arduous undertakings which had to be executed in short time and with much at stake. Mr. Bower almost lived on the pithead, for whenever he (Mr. Gray) went to the colliery, Sunday or weekday, he found him on a job which “could not be left.” There had often been differences of opinion between them but Mr. Bower was mostly right. He was happy to think they have remained good friends and he wished Mr. and Mrs. Bower and their little son every happiness in their new sphere.
A Roving Career
Mr. Bower was given an enthusiastic reception when he rose to reply and he was obviously affected by the tributes. He said he had been asked to tell them something of his career. He was born within sight of York Minster and as much a Yorkshireman as any of them. He began his working life in the general office of the Airedale Collieries but soon transferred to the engineer’s department. Taking a keen interest in draughtsman ship and learning all he could he advanced but was “always on the move”. Until coming to Kilnhurst he had never stayed more than two years at a place and had been at shipyards, the Royal Arsenal, Sheffield steelworks and collieries in various parts of the country gaining a wide experience until he was as much at home with woodwork or bricks and mortar as he was with machinery. He always greeted those under him as men and so got the most out of them. If in doing his duty he had offended anyone he regretted it, but he had tried to do everything for the general good. The Welfare ground had been a source of much pleasure which he would always remember. Mr. Bower described several incidents, some humorous, which had occurred at the pit during his time and one particularly, which he said he would never forget. Soon after his arrival he found a workman smoking and, upon asking the man what he was doing, received the reply “I am having a pipe of tobacco, but I thought you had gone home.” He admired that man’s straightforwardness – a trait he liked in men.
Work For Kilnhurst
Coun. T. Beighton (winding engineman) said he had pleasure in paying his tribute to Mr. Bower who had always been very helpful to him and he well remembered a gigantic task both had been involved in when alterations to the engine-house took place; work which provide Mr Bower’s construction ability. He much regretted his leaving but wished him the best of luck.
Mr. J. Kirkham, foreman fitter, then presented Mr. Bower with a beautiful mahogany-cased clock and a fountain pen, subscribed by all the workmen, on whose behalf he thanked Mr. Bower for his unfailing kindness.
Mr. E. Vickers proposed the health of Mr. Bower, said that Mr Bower had done such a tremendous amount of work that he had set an example any successor would have difficulty in following. He regretted he was losing a personal friend and the colliery a valued official.
Coun. A. Russell spoke of the work done for the Athletic ground by Mr. Bower and said it was entirely due to his influence that such a delightful ground and excellent membership had been built upon. The cricket matches Mr. Bower had organised would always be pleasant memories.
The management committee, in a letter, conveyed their thanks and said that, after always taking the attitude of “Leave it to Mr. Bower) they wondered how they would manage without him.
Mr. S. J. Large (for visiting friends) said that after the accounts given it would appear that Mr. Bower could not have time to devote his thoughts to anything else, but he could personally testify to Mr. Bower’s interest in local and national affairs. Those, like himself who had met Mr. Bower socially were sorry to be losing him, but all extended best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Bower and a welcome in the district any time they could pay a visit.
Mr. G. Medcalf, on behalf of the workmen, said he could say nothing finer than “they had always found Mr. Bower to be a man,” and he wished him Goodspeed.
The speeches were interspersed with musical items contributed by members of the company and the brothers Hinchliffe, who played several violin and pianoforte duets.
Mr. and Mrs. Hinchliffe, host and hostess, were complimented upon their service, and Mr. Large thanked for presiding.