Quite a profound sensation was caused in the neighbourhood of Staveley on Monday morning (5 August) when the sad news spread that Mr Joseph Godber Knighton, manager of the large ironworks belonging to the Staveley Coal and Iron Company Limited had expired suddenly and the announcement will be read with regret by a large number of friends. His death was altogether unexpected, although on Sunday evening he had a slight fainting fit, nothing serious was anticipated by the family. However about 2 o clock on Monday morning, he was seized whilst in bed with another fainting bout and before medical assistance could be summoned he passed away at the early age of 44. Dr Hale was speedily called in, but death had taken place, and in the medical gentleman's opinion was due to fatty degeneration of the heart, causing cessation of the heart's action followed by syncope. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow (47), two sons and a daughter (aged 19, 16 and 12) to mourn his loss. By Mr Knighton's death, the Staveley Company has lost a valued servant. For many years he occupied a prominent position and was a thorough businessman. He succeeded to the post of manager about eight years ago, on the death of his father, Mr William Knighton, who filled a similar position for about 30 years. He was highly respected by the workmen and officials alike and at one time was a popular lieutenant in the Staveley Corps of the Sherwood Foresters. As regards taking part in public affairs his somewhat retiring nature and pressure of business, debarred him to some extent from finding time but when ever he put in an appearance at a social function his cheery countenance was always haled with a hearty welcome. In politics he never took any active part, but his views were with the Liberal Unionists and he was a supporter of the Church of England. He was a Freemason and a liberal subscriber, unostentatiously to many objects and his ill-timed death has cut off a figure who will be missed by many – especially the working class.
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THE FUNERAL
took place on Thursday afternoon, in the picturesque little churchyard, adjoining Handley Church, in the presence of a large assembly of relatives, friends and workmen, who paid their mark of respect in a sympathising manner. When the solemn cortege left deceased's residence , the streets were lined by several thousand people and the blinds in the neighbourhood were drawn as a token of esteem to the deceased. The Iron Works where Mr Knighton fulfilled the duties of manager were set down as another tribute of respect and the majority of the officials and workmen joined in the solemn procession. The remains were encased in a handsome polished coffin mounted with brass fittings and on arrival at the church, in the unavoidable absence of the rector the Rev JH Molineux, the Revs W L Coleman and S Biss MA, conducted the service. After the ritual ceremony inside the church the procession was reformed the coffin being borne to the grave by foreman and workmen employed at the works. On the coffin being lowered into the last resting place which was lined with bricks and beautifully decorated with white [wedding?] and flowers the Rev W L Coleman solemnised the burial service amidst many signed of regret. The chief mourners were Mr F Knighton son, Mr G H Knighton (brother) Mr Goulder (Liverpool) and Mr Gilroy (brothers in law) Mr H E Gilroy (nephew) Mr H Knighton and Mr B Knighton (uncles) Mr G H Knighton (Derby), Mr G Knighton and Mr K Knighton (cousins) and Mr G H Godber (cousin), and amongst others who took part in the procession were:----- Mr George Bond (general manager, Staveley Company) Mr H Westlake (secretary) Mr A Markham (Tupton House Chesterfield) Mr Macdonald (representing Mr C P Markham, Hasland who is abroad). Doctor Hale, Mr C M Westlake, Mr J Humble (general manager Staveley Company's pits) Mr G O Bond, Mr J B Nicholson (cashier) Mr C Mather (secretary's department), Mr Walshaw (representing the Sheepbridge Company) Mr Pollard (Renishaw), Mr G Simpson (representing stores department) Messrs Turner and Dudley, Dr Goodall (Brimington) Mr C M Humble (manager Wassop Main) Mr F Thornton engineer, Mr S Berresford (accountant's department) Mr W Hibbert, Mr J Mason (manager Barlboro' Colliery) Mr R Cuthbertson, (manager Ireland Colliery) Mr W Chambers (manager, wagon and saw mill department) Mr T Shore (colliery engineer) Mr T Richardson (manager Seymour colliery) Mr W Bunting (manager Hollingwood colliery) Mr T Chambers (manager pattern making department) Mr Brierley (M S and L district goods agent) Mr Tilforth (Midland stationmaster), Mr Rigby (Midland loco department) Dr Court (represented by his carriage) Mr E Taylor Mr L Jacques, Mr S Lee (Old Works fitting department), Mr T Goodwin (New Works pipe moulding department) Mr W Johnson, Mr W Cantrell, Mr T Hawley, Mr W Godfrey and Mr H Nadin (furnace managers) Mr W Ridgway, Mr T W Robinson, Mr S W Martin, Chesterfield, Mr J Lee (Woodthorpe) Mr F Hall, Mr G W Hibbert, Mr T Martin, Mr E Cutt, Mr Falconer (Liverpool Corp Water Works) Mr A Morton, Mr T W Spencer, Mr H Mycroft, Mr T Moyle, Mr J Cropper, Mr A Allcroft, Mr G Upton, Mr E Windle, Mr E Hall, Mr Allwright, Mr W Green, Mr E Rodgers, Mr B Magpen (draughtsmen department) Mr E Weldon (surveyor's department) Mr J Walker (Handley), Mr Sales (Chesterfield) and many other representatives of the works and friends. The number of floral tributes expressions of sympathy sent by the members of the family, friends, officials and workmen were many, and they were from the following:-
Mr and Mrs G H Knighton, Mr B Knighton, Mr and Mrs Henry Knighton (Derby) Mr George Knighton, Mr J J Barrow, Mrs Markham (Tupton House) Mr and Mrs C Markham (Hasland) Mr and Mrs Bond (Brimington Hall) Mr and Mrs H Westlake, Mr A B Markham, Mr and Mrs Humble, Mr and Mrs Eaton, Mr and Mrs Pollard (Renishaw works) Mr and Mrs Nicholson, Mr and Mrs Ridgway, the Moulders New Works, the Clerks, new Works, Doctor and Mrs Bingham, Mr and Mrs Hibbert, Mr A K Smith, and family (Boughton Priory) Officials and Workmen Old Works, Mrs Robinson and family, Mrs Dilley, Messrs Rowley and [Morton] Furnace men new Works, Mr and Mrs Proctor, Mr Henry Farrow, Pattern Makers New Works, Doctor and Mrs Hale, Mr George Godfrey, and workmen, Dr and Mrs Goodall, Mr W Cantrell, Coal Office Clerks, Mr W Johnson and workmen, Mr T Goodwin and workmen, Major and Mrs Dudley, Mr and Mrs C Mather, Mr Thornton.