The funeral took place on Monday of Mr Benjamin Knighton of "Mayfield" New Street Matlock Bank, who passed away the previous Thursday at the advanced age of 76 years. The deceased gentleman took up his residence at Matlock about nine years ago upon his retirement from a responsible position in the Foundry Dept. at the Staveley Iron Works, which he had held for many years having in fact resided in that parish practically the whole of his life. On deceased retirement from active work he was the recipient of a gold watch from the foremen and workmen of the Foundry. He was an ardent Wesleyan and had been a member of this connexion for some sixty years. Although his residence in Matlock was comparatively short he had become well known and much respected in many circles . He was not officially connected with any of the charitable institutions of the neighbourhood, but nevertheless it was his unostentatious and practical help to deserving causes by which he will be best remembered. His wife predeceased him many years ago and he leaves three sons. All married, one being Mr Geo. Knighton who resides at Staveley.
The first part of the funeral service was conducted in the Matlock Bank Wesleyan Church by the resident minister, the Rev ___ Mason, and the remains were later in the day interred at Handley Church, where the opening portion of the burial service was read by the Rev W. L. Coleman, and the lesson by the Rev A. Antliff, Wesleyan minister at Staveley, and the committal sentences were pronounced by the Rector (Canon Molineux). The principal mourners were Mr and Mrs Geo. Knighton, Mr and Mrs W Knighton (Sheffield), and Mr and Mrs J Knighton (Rod___) sons and daughters in law): Mr and Mrs O Wheelhouse (Staveley) brother in law and sister in law; Mrs Gilroy and Miss Knighton nieces; Miss Needham housekeeper; Mr Colledge, Mr and Mrs Pride and Mrs Slater. Representing the Staveley Wesleyan Chapel of which deceased was for many years a trustee and Sunday School superintendent, were Mr H Cooper and Mr GE Brooke. There were also present Messrs M Pattison, W Hayes and H Till presenting the Staveley Gas Company and Mr FA Walker (Chesterfield).
The bearers were (sons) of deceased old workmen when at Staveley viz. Messrs John and George Denton, J Whittaker, B Woodhead, Wm Ledgate and J Beech.
Included in the floral tributes were the following: - His three sons: Mr and Mrs Pride; Mrs Gilroy; Miss Newton; Miss Needham; Mr and Mrs Colledge; Mr and Mrs J R ____; and the workmen of the Staveley Iron Works.