Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 03 February 1940

Leave After Three Years

Recently Stoker H. Dronfield pleasantly surprised his young wife whom he had not seen for nearly three years with a telegram stating he would be with her within a few hours. She was perturbed when he arrived to find his leave was  for only seven days when after three years’ service he anticipated at least sixty days’ leave, but Stoker Dronfield is hoping for another leave shortly.

He joined the Navy eleven years ago, signing on for twelve years, and during his life at sea has visited many countries. For the last two and a half years he has been out in New Zealand. From Malta he has brought his wife a pretty silk jumper and lace done by the Maltese women.

His exploits on the high seas have been many and varied, but he is accustomed to the life and thinks it fine to be a sailor. During the last two years he has travelled ‘72,000 miles.

During his leave he has stayed with his wife’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Beedon at West Street, Darfield, and they have also entertained one of his Shipmates, Petty Officer George Chadwick for a few days. Petty Officer Chadwick married a New Zealand girl when abroad. He brought her to England, but she died some time ago.

Stoker Dronfield visited her parents, during his last voyage.