A COUNCILLOR has teamed up with a group of historians in the hope of finding the relatives of a renowned Barnsley man.
Herbert Smith, a former general secretary of the Mineworkers Federation of GB, died in 1938 at his desk in the NUM offices on Huddersfield Road.
The service for his funeral was held at Pitt Street Methodist Church in Barnsley and his coffin was then processed to Castleford, with miners lining the roads.
His obituary was extensively covered by the Chronicle on June 18, 1938.
Coun Janine Moyes is helping members of the Castleford Civic Society who want to trace Herbert’s family in order to re-dedicate his gravestone.
She said: “Herbert was well-known for his blunt, uncompromising style, whether speaking to Prime Ministers or coal owners.
“He also served on Barnsley Borough Council with his two sons, Arthur and Harold, and at the time of his death was survived by four daughters and three sons.
“As it will be the anniversary of the centenary next year of the 1926 General Strike, the society would like to look at possibly re-dedicating his gravestone but would like to reach out to any relatives that are around.”
