Leeds Mercury – Thursday 07 October 1937

Former Pit Boy’s £30,000

 A Yorkshire Romance

A romantic story of a pit boy’s rise to high position lies behind the publication to day of the will of Mr. Robert Watkin, of Darfield. He left £30,856 (net £29,940).

Starting work at the age of 12, he supplemented his meagre schooling by attending technical classes, and at the age of 20 was appointed surveyor at Cortonwood Colliery, Wombwell.

Seven years later he became under-manager at the same mine, and in 1903 was appointed manager of Dearne Valley Colliery, near Barnsley, of which he was made a director in 1924. Under his direction the colliery was remarkably free from industrial trouble.

Fifty-five years of his life were devoted to ambulance work, and five years ago he was made an officer of the Grand Priory of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

He held a Belgian decoration for his services to refugees in the War.