Wood | WEEK 42

Mr. Riley Retires This Month

February 1, 2017 — Nikellom

Riley’s Coach Depot

Dorothy May Berry, born in 1904 in Parkgate, Rotherham, is my third cousin, thrice removed and daughter of Harry Berry and Agnes Wood. Dorothy’s brother, Frank, is also featured on this site.

In 1928, in Rotherham, Dorothy married Leonard Riley and together they issued two children.

It is interesting to note that Leonard’s brother, Cecil Riley, was the proprietor of the very well known Rotherham business, Riley’s Coaches, which was founded early in the 20th century. Riley’s coach depot was located on Sheffield Road in the Westgate area of Rotherham. Leonard and his family were a Westgate family, living there when the 1911 Census was conducted. Riley’s Coaches were taken over by Gordon’s Coaches of Rotherham in the 1990s.

Rank Hovis Flour Mill

Below is a newspaper article pertaining to Leonard’s retirement in 1966. Leonard worked at the Rank Hovis flour mill, located on Canklow Road, in the Westgate area of Rotherham. Premier Foods, the owners of Rank Hovis, closed the mill in 2008 and it was demolished in January 2012.

THE ADVERTISER, SAT., JULY 23rd, 1966

Mr. Riley retires this month…

Mr. Leonard Riley, of 19, Beechwood Road, Rotherham, received two presentations at an informal gathering, at the Town Corn Mills of Hovis, Ltd., Rotherham, on Tuesday, from Mr. E. A. Williams, Activity Chief Executive (Technical), Flour Milling, Joseph Rank, Ltd.

Mr. Riley was first presented with a gold clock to mark the completion of 40 years with the firm, and was afterwards presented with an engraved silver cigarette box from his colleagues, to mark his retirement later this month.

Starting with the firm in 1922 as an accounts clerk Mr. Riley became commercial manager, a position which he has occupied for many years.

Mr. Herbert Graham, of 9, Nidderdale Road, Rotherham, was presented with a stainless steel tray and tea set and a coffee table and cutlery to mark 40 years service with the company. He is the head warehouseman.

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Frank Berry & Honor Brotherton

November 18, 2016 — Nikellom

Stone Row

Frank Berry is my third cousin, thrice removed and son of Harry Berry and Agnes Wood. Frank’s sister, Dorothy, is also featured on this site.

In 1915, Frank married Honor Brotherton, in Rotherham, and together, they issued two children, who were called, Alfred Kenneth (1921 to 1974) and Mona (1925 to 1989).

Parkgate Iron & Steel Company

I’d known since 2005 that Frank’s parents had settled in Parkgate, Rotherham, after moving from Gawber, Barnsley, in the 1890s but it was not until last year, when I made contact with two of Frank’s granddaughters in one of my Facebook Groups, that I was able to move forward with this branch of the Berry tree.

Frank was born in the same year that his first cousin, twice removed, Luke Berry (my third great grandfather), died. I currently know of only two Berry families to settle in Rotherham, so Harry and Luke were no doubt aware of each other.

Doncaster Gate Hospital, Rotherham - 19.08.07 (4)

Rotherham Hospital

Although Frank’s obituary below states that he was born in Parkgate, he was actually born in Gawber.

THE ADVERTISER, SATURDAY, JANUARY 25th, 1947.

DEATH OF MR. F. BERRY. – The interment took place in the Haugh Road Cemetery, Rawmarsh, on Wednesday, of Mr. Frank Berry, aged 55, of 30, Stone Row, Parkgate, whose death occurred in the Rotherham Hospital, Doncaster Gate, last Saturday.

Moorgate Hospital

Mr. Berry, who was born in Parkgate, was employed as a ladle carriage driver by the Park Gate Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., for whom he had worked since he left school. He leaves a widow, a son and a daughter.

The service was conducted by the Rev. H. E. Sladden, and the mourners included: Mrs. H. Berry (widow); Mr. A. K. Berry (son); Miss M. Berry (daughter); Mr. and Mrs. L. Riley and Mr. H. Brotherton (brothers-in-law and sister); Mrs. P. Thompson, Mrs. S. Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. B. Cuthbert, and Mr. and Mrs. J. Maiden (brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law); Mr. and Mrs. H. Wood and Mr. and Mrs. F. Wood (uncles and aunts); Mrs. M. Bacon (cousin); Mr. M. Kavanagh, Mr. D. Shaw, and Mr. D. Cuthbert (nephews); Mrs. E. Denton, Mr. B. Denton, Mrs. E. Elvidge, Mr. W. McLane, Mr. H. Goodall, and workmates.