South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 03 January 1942
1941 Review
The year has not seen quite the activity one would expect from a village of the size and population of Great Houghton.
As a result of a link formed at Houghton Church School with scholars in our colonies, several children received interesting New Year greetings.
Mr. Edgar J. Button, licensee of the Old Hall Inn, died suddenly in January.
Mr. Scott, an official of Dearne Valley Colliery, and his family, of Dearne Street, left the district.
County Coun, John Potts, J.P., celebrated his 69th birthday and a quarter of a century as chairman of Great Houghton Parish Council.
A Central Comforts Fund was inaugurated under the auspices of the Parish Council.
The first Youth Rally was held at Houghton and was attended by about 70.
New premises for the Home Guard of Middlecliffe and Little Houghton were officially opened by Contain Brass (director of Houghton Main Colliery).
The home of Mrs. Mary Cowen, of New Street, was gutted by fire. Evacuees reached the district. consisting of 36 mothers and 66 children.
At the age of 75 Mr. John Eskriett, of Rotherham Road, retired from Dearne Valley Colliery.
Confirmation of the death of Sergt. Corbett. R.A.F., reached his parents in May and a few days later his mother, Mrs. Corbett, died, without the news being revealed to her.
Mr. Albert Francis, secretary of Houghton Main Colliery, and chairman of Little Houghton Parish Council, was appointed a West Riding Magistrate.
One of the smallest villages in South Yorkshire, Little Houghton. raised £4,715 in connection with Hemsworth War Weapons Week.
In June Annie Cox, School Street, was awarded the connexional prize for land In connection with Methodist Scripture exhibition.
In honour of much work done for the Red Cross by Little Houghton, Mrs A. Francis, secretary, was presented to the Princess Royal at function at Scissett.
During July, Trooper Maurice Bushby of John Street, way reported missing. Later in the year news reached his wife he was prisoner of war.
Mr. Owen Edgar (18), of John Street, was offered a State bursary in science, tenable to London University.
September brought the sad news of the death of Arthur Chambers of Milton Street, who was attached to the Royal Navy.
Mr. and Mrs. John William Dickens celebrated their Golden Wedding at their home In New Street. Poppy Day receipts amounted to £3O 10s., a recotd.
In the closing stages of the year a horticultural society was formed.
Sergt. Cyril Love, of the R.A.F. of Sandhill, was killed and was interred at Darfield.
Deaths of the following have been reported:
Kate Robinson (64), Lilian Mallinson (32 ), Frances Ellam (81), John Trickett (83), John Appleyard (89), Alfred Atkinson (88), Ad Williamson (72), Doris Turner (29), Ernest Brinkley (61), Edna Pickles (25), Elisabeth Till (83), Emma Corbett (59), Sarah Moss (87), Frances Thompson (51), William Stockley (88), George. Francis (51), Thomas P. Gasgoigne (65), Polly Baxter (39), Annie Bird (67), David Parkinson (63), Cyril Love (38), George Henry Francis (79), George Lilley (79).