Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 25 November 1939

A splendid record of 54 years’ service to Kilnhurst Parish Church was brought to a close by the death, at the Montagu Hospital on Monday of Mr. L Saxton (76), of 7. Beighton Road, Kilnhurst.

Mr. Saxton had a stroke in August, and since then had been very ill.

Mr. Saxton was educated at Kilnhurst National School, and left at the age of 13. He then went to at Blunn’s Glassworks at Kilnhurst and served his apprenticeship there. He became a bottle maker and continued to work when the ship of the firm was taken over by a Mr Whitfield about 33 years ago. Mr. Saxton left when the firm closed and went to at Barron’s Glassworks, Mexborough, where he finished his working days. He retired eleven years ago.

Mr and Saxton went to school together and married at the Parish Church on January 25th, 1885. They celebrated their Golden Wedding four years ago and received a chiming clock from the Parish Church.

They were the oldest couple in the village. Mr Saxton had been an official at the Parish Church for 54 years, and Churchwarden for 13 years and a manager of the National School for about 10 years. Mr Saxton served under four Vicars.

In his younger days Mr. Saxton was a prominent cricketer and played regularly for Kilnhurst and Thrybergh. He also won batting average of the South Yorkshire League twice.

He leaves two sons, one daughter, all married, and one grandson and one grand-daughter.

The interment took place at Kilnhurst following a service at the Parish Church at which the Rev. E .J. Cheverton officiated.