South Yorkshire Times, Friday, December 23rd, 1932
Darfield Rail Veterans
N.U.R. Cheques for Signalmen
Mr. T. Harrop (branch chairman), presided at an N.U.R. meeting at Wombwell when cheques for £30 were handed over to two Darfield men, John Heckingbottom and Albert Griffin, both members of the N.U.R., on reaching the retiring age. Mr. Heckingbottom and Mr. Griffin have spent most of their time as signalmen at Darfield. They have worked in the same box for many years and retire within four days of each other. Mr. John Heckingbottom, who lives in Barnsley Road. Darfield, has worked on the railway for 48 years. He started at Newstead Nottingham, as a porter, and came to Darfield 42 years ago and has worked in the signal box at the old and new station 41 years.
Mr. Albert Joseph Griffins lived in Railway Cottages, Darfield, for over 30 years but has recently removed to Quarry Hills. He commenced work at Beeston. Notts. 37 years ago. During the Boer War he served with the Gloucester Regiment, but went back to railway work after the war, starting at Whissindine, Rutland. He was transferred to Darfield over 30 years ago.
Mr. Heckingbottom has been a member of the N.U.R. 41 years and Mr. Griffin 37 years.
After the presentation members of the Darfield, Wath and Storrs Mill railway staff, presented Messrs. Heckingbottom and Griffin each with a smoker’s cabinet, and Mr. H. Best (the Darfield stationmaster), gave them each a monogramed tobacco pouch.