Mexborough & Swinton Times, May 29, 1931
Ups And Downs.
Kilnhurst Man Found Drowned
A Home-Lover
Col. A. M. Connell held an inquest at Kilnhurst on Saturday on Joseph Milnes (42), spring fitter, of 27, St. Nicolas Road, Rawmarsh, whose body was recovered from the canal at Kilnhurst the previous day.
Isobel Milnes (wife) gave evidence of identification. Her husband had not been in regular employment during the past few months owing to trade depression. He last worked a week last Friday, when he was employed only three days of the week. “We have had our ups and downs and were in lodgings for ten years. We have been happier during the last three months while we have been in our own house than ever before. My husband’s heart and soul was in the house.” Her husband served in the Army from 1914-1919.
Nelly Taylor, of 22, St. Nicolas Road. Rawmarsh, said she had known Milnes for over two years. On May 15th she boarded a trackless bus in Effingham Square, Rotherham, about 10-45 p.m. and saw Milnes on the same bus. Milnes spoke to witness and asked a man to stand up for her to sit down. When she got off the bus in Kilnhurst Road, Rawmarsh, she did not see Milnes.
James Gilliver, of 37, North Terrace, Kilnhurst, said he was walking along Glasshouse Lane, Kilnhurst, on Friday morning when he saw a body floating in the canal. He sent for the police and assisted P.c. Makin to recover the body.
Mrs. Milnes, recalled, said she last saw her husband alive at 5-45 p.m. last Friday, when Milnes left her in Main Street, Rawmarsh.
P.c. Makin gave evidence of receiving in’ formation on Friday, May 22nd that a body was in the canal and when he got there the body had been recovered and was lying on the towing path.
The Coroner said that he had had a post mortem examination made by Doctor Lister of Rawmarsh, who had found no trace of violence but that the man had died simply from drowning. A verdict to that effect would be recorded.